Zoom lens and image pickup apparatus using the same

Abstract

The zoom lens has an aperture stop arranged between the second lens unit and the fourth lens unit. During zooming from the wide angle end to the telephoto end, the distances between the lens units vary in such a way that the distance between the first lens unit and the second lens unit is larger at the telephoto end than at the wide angle end, the distance between the second lens unit and the third lens unit is smaller at the telephoto end than at the wide angle end, and the distance between the fourth lens unit and the fifth lens unit is larger at the telephoto end than at the wide angle end. The zoom lens satisfies the following conditional expression (1):
3.5≦LTL_w/IH_t≦8.9  (1).

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from the prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-238778 filed on Oct. 30, 2012; the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a zoom lens and an image pickup apparatus equipped with a zoom lens.

2. Description of the Related Art

In recent years, reduction in the size, weight, and manufacturing cost of cameras using an electronic image pickup element, such as digital cameras, have been needed. To achieve reduction in the size, weight, and manufacturing cost of such cameras, it is necessary to reduce the size of the camera body and the optical system.

On the other hand, there are needs for wide-angle shooting such as the shooting of a large structure or building or the taking of a souvenir photograph in an extensive background. In addition, people wish to take wide-angle photographs and telephoto photographs using only one lens. As lenses that meet such needs in shooting, wide angle zoom lenses having a half angle of view larger than 37 degrees and a zoom ratio higher than 4.5 provide a convenient view angle range, enabling shooting in wide variety of situations.

As a lens configuration that can achieve a relatively wide angle of view and high zoom ratio, a zoom lens including, in order from the object side, a first lens unit having a positive refractive power, a second lens unit having a negative refractive power, a third lens unit having a positive refractive power, a fourth lens unit having a negative refractive power, and a fifth lens unit having a positive refractive power has been known, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 2010-191199 and 2003-287681.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A zoom lens according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises, in order from the object side to the image side, a first lens unit having a positive refractive power, a second lens unit having a negative refractive power, a third lens unit having a positive refractive power, a fourth lens unit having a negative refractive power, and a fifth lens unit having a positive refractive power, wherein the zoom lens has an aperture stop arranged between the second lens unit and the fourth lens unit, during zooming from the wide angle end to the telephoto end the distances between the lens units vary in such a way that the distance between the first lens unit and the second lens unit is larger at the telephoto end than at the wide angle end, the distance between the second lens unit and the third lens unit is smaller at the telephoto end than at the wide angle end, and the distance between the fourth lens unit and the fifth lens unit is larger at the telephoto end than at the wide angle end, and the zoom lens satisfies the following conditional expression (1):
3.5≦LTL_w/IH_t≦8.9  (1),
where LTL_w is the sum of the distance on the optical axis between the refractive surface closest to the object side and the refractive surface closest to the image side among the refractive surfaces in the zoom lens and the equivalent air distance of the back focus at the wide angle end in the state in which the zoom lens is focused at infinity on the optical axis, and IH_t is the largest image height at the telephoto end in the state in which the zoom lens is focused at infinity on the optical axis.

A zoom lens according to a second aspect of the present invention comprises, in order from the object side to the image side, a first lens unit having a positive refractive power, a second lens unit having a negative refractive power, a third lens unit having a positive refractive power, a fourth lens unit having a negative refractive power, and a fifth lens unit having a positive refractive power, wherein the zoom lens has an aperture stop arranged between the second lens unit and the fourth lens unit, during zooming from the wide angle end to the telephoto end the distances between the lens units vary in such a way that the distance between the first lens unit and the second lens unit is larger at the telephoto end than at the wide angle end, the distance between the second lens unit and the third lens unit is smaller at the telephoto end than at the wide angle end, and the distance between the fourth lens unit and the fifth lens unit is larger at the telephoto end than at the wide angle end, the third lens unit includes a negative lens and a plurality of positive lenses, and the zoom lens satisfies the following conditional expression (2):
3.5≦LTL_w/IH_t≦10.0  (2),
where LTL_w is the sum of the distance on the optical axis between the refractive surface closest to the object side and the refractive surface closest to the image side among the refractive surfaces in the zoom lens and the equivalent air distance of the back focus at the wide angle end in the state in which the zoom lens is focused at infinity on the optical axis, and IH_t is the largest image height at the telephoto end in the state in which the zoom lens is focused at infinity on the optical axis.

A zoom lens according to a third aspect of the present invention comprises, in order from the object side to the image side, a first lens unit having a positive refractive power, a second lens unit having a negative refractive power, a third lens unit having a positive refractive power, a fourth lens unit having a negative refractive power, and a fifth lens unit having a positive refractive power, wherein the zoom lens has an aperture stop arranged between the second lens unit and the fourth lens unit, during zooming from the wide angle end to the telephoto end the distances between the lens units vary in such a way that the distance between the first lens unit and the second lens unit is larger at the telephoto end than at the wide angle end, the distance between the second lens unit and the third lens unit is smaller at the telephoto end than at the wide angle end, and the distance between the fourth lens unit and the fifth lens unit is larger at the telephoto end than at the wide angle end, the third lens unit includes two lenses cemented together with the cemented surface having a negative refractive power, an object side positive lens located closer to the object side than the two lenses, and an image side lens located closer to the image side than the two lenses, the composite refractive power of a portion from the object side surface of the third lens unit to the image side surface of a lens located immediately before (i.e. on the object side of) the two lenses is positive,

the image side lens has a lens surface having a positive refractive power, and

the zoom lens satisfies the following conditional expression (3):
0.5≦|f₂/IH_t|≦1.3  (3),
where f₂ is the focal length of the second lens unit, and IH_t is the largest image height of the zoom lens at the telephoto end in the state in which the zoom lens is focused at infinity on the optical axis.

A zoom lens according to a fourth aspect of the present invention comprises, in order from the object side to the image side, a first lens unit having a positive refractive power, a second lens unit having a negative refractive power, a third lens unit having a positive refractive power, a fourth lens unit having a negative refractive power, and a fifth lens unit having a positive refractive power, wherein the zoom lens has an aperture stop arranged between the second lens unit and the fourth lens unit, during zooming from the wide angle end to the telephoto end the distances between the lens units vary in such a way that the distance between the first lens unit and the second lens unit is larger at the telephoto end than at the wide angle end, the distance between the second lens unit and the third lens unit is smaller at the telephoto end than at the wide angle end, and the distance between the fourth lens unit and the fifth lens unit is larger at the telephoto end than at the wide angle end, the third lens unit includes two lenses cemented together with the cemented surface having a negative refractive power, an object side positive lens located closer to the object side than the two lenses, and an image side lens located closer to the image side than the two lenses, the composite refractive power of a portion from the object side surface of the third lens unit to the image side surface of a lens located immediately before (i.e. on the object side of) the two lenses is positive, the image side lens has a lens surface having a positive refractive power, and the zoom lens satisfies the following conditional expression (4):
0.7≦f₃/IH_t≦2.0  (4),
where f₃ is the focal length of the third lens unit, and IH_t is the largest image height of the zoom lens at the telephoto end in the state in which the zoom lens is focused at infinity on the optical axis.

A zoom lens comprising, in order from the object side to the image side, a first lens unit having a positive refractive power, a second lens unit having a negative refractive power, a third lens unit having a positive refractive power, a fourth lens unit having a negative refractive power, and a fifth lens unit having a positive refractive power, wherein the zoom lens has an aperture stop arranged between the second lens unit and the fourth lens unit, during zooming from the wide angle end to the telephoto end the distances between the lens units vary in such away that the distance between the first lens unit and the second lens unit is larger at the telephoto end than at the wide angle end, the distance between the second lens unit and the third lens unit is smaller at the telephoto end than at the wide angle end, and the distance between the fourth lens unit and the fifth lens unit is larger at the telephoto end than at the wide angle end, the third lens unit includes two lenses cemented together with the cemented surface having a negative refractive power, an object side positive lens located closer to the object side than the two lenses, and an image side lens located closer to the image side than the two lenses, the composite refractive power of a portion from the object side surface of the third lens unit to the image side surface of a lens located immediately before (i.e. on the object side of) the two lenses is positive, the image side lens has a lens surface having a positive refractive power, and the zoom lens satisfies the following conditional expression (5):
0.6≦f₃/f_w≦1.6  (5),
where f₃ is the focal length of the third lens unit, and f_w is the focal length of the zoom lens at the wide angle end in the state in which the zoom lens is focused at infinity on the optical axis.

An image pickup apparatus according to the present invention comprises a zoom lens according to any one of the above-described aspects and an image pickup element arranged on the image side of the zoom lens to convert an image formed by the zoom lens into an electric signal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C are cross sectional views taken along the optical axis, showing the configuration of a zoom lens according to a first embodiment of the present invention in the state in which the zoom lens is focused on an object point at infinity, where FIG. 1A shows the state at the wide angle end, FIG. 1B shows the state in an intermediate focal length state, and FIG. 1C shows the state at the telephoto end;

FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C are cross sectional views taken along the optical axis, showing the configuration of a zoom lens according to a second embodiment of the present invention in the state in which the zoom lens is focused on an object point at infinity, where FIG. 2A shows the state at the wide angle end, FIG. 2B shows the state in an intermediate focal length state, and FIG. 2C shows the state at the telephoto end;

FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C are cross sectional views taken along the optical axis, showing the configuration of a zoom lens according to a third embodiment of the present invention in the state in which the zoom lens is focused on an object point at infinity, where FIG. 3A shows the state at the wide angle end, FIG. 3B shows the state in an intermediate focal length state, and FIG. 3C shows the state at the telephoto end;

FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C are cross sectional views taken along the optical axis, showing the configuration of a zoom lens according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention in the state in which the zoom lens is focused on an object point at infinity, where FIG. 4A shows the state at the wide angle end, FIG. 4B shows the state in an intermediate focal length state, and FIG. 4C shows the state at the telephoto end;

FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C are cross sectional views taken along the optical axis, showing the configuration of a zoom lens according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention in the state in which the zoom lens is focused on an object point at infinity, where FIG. 5A shows the state at the wide angle end, FIG. 5B shows the state in an intermediate focal length state, and FIG. 5C shows the state at the telephoto end;

FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C are cross sectional views taken along the optical axis, showing the configuration of a zoom lens according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention in the state in which the zoom lens is focused on an object point at infinity, where FIG. 6A shows the state at the wide angle end, FIG. 6B shows the state in an intermediate focal length state, and FIG. 6C shows the state at the telephoto end;

FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C are cross sectional views taken along the optical axis, showing the configuration of a zoom lens according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention in the state in which the zoom lens is focused on an object point at infinity, where FIG. 7A shows the state at the wide angle end, FIG. 7B shows the state in an intermediate focal length state, and FIG. 7C shows the state at the telephoto end;

FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D, 8E, 8F, 8G, 8H, 8I, 8J, 8K, and 8L are aberration diagrams of the zoom lens according to the first embodiment in the state in which the zoom lens is focused at an object point at infinity;

FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C, 9D, 9E, 9F, 9G, 9H, 9I, 9J, 9K, and 9L are aberration diagrams of the zoom lens according to the second embodiment in the state in which the zoom lens is focused at an object point at infinity;

FIGS. 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 10E, 10F, 10G, 10H, 101, 10J, 10K, and 10L are aberration diagrams of the zoom lens according to the third embodiment in the state in which the zoom lens is focused at an object point at infinity;

FIGS. 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D, 11E, 11F, 11G, 11H, 11I, 11J, 11K, and 11L are aberration diagrams of the zoom lens according to the fourth embodiment in the state in which the zoom lens is focused at an object point at infinity;

FIGS. 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D, 12E, 12F, 12G, 12H, 12I, 12J, 12K, and 12L are aberration diagrams of the zoom lens according to the fifth embodiment in the state in which the zoom lens is focused at an object point at infinity;

FIGS. 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E, 13F, 13G, 13H, 13I, 13J, 13K, and 13L are aberration diagrams of the zoom lens according to the sixth embodiment in the state in which the zoom lens is focused at an object point at infinity;

FIGS. 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F, 14G, 14H, 14I, 14J, 14K, and 14L are aberration diagrams of the zoom lens according to the seventh embodiment in the state in which the zoom lens is focused at an object point at infinity;

FIG. 15 is a cross sectional view of a single lens mirror-less camera as an electronic image pickup apparatus;

FIG. 16 is a front perspective view showing the outer appearance of a digital camera as an image pickup apparatus;

FIG. 17 is a rear perspective view showing the outer appearance of the digital camera as an image pickup apparatus;

FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing the relevant interval circuit configuration of the digital camera; and

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating angle ωw.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following, embodiments of the zoom lens and the image pickup apparatus using the same according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention is by no means limited by the embodiments.

Prior to the description of the embodiments, the operation and advantages of the zoom lens according to some modes of the present invention will be described.

The zoom lens according to a mode of the present invention includes, in order from the object side to the image side, a first lens unit having a positive refractive power, a second lens unit having a negative refractive power, a third lens unit having a positive refractive power, a fourth lens unit having a negative refractive power, and a fifth lens unit having a positive refractive power, and further includes an aperture stop arranged between the second lens unit and the fourth lens unit, wherein during zooming from the wide angle end to the telephoto end, the distances between the lens units vary in such a way that the distance between the first lens unit and the second lens unit is larger at the telephoto end than at the wide angle end, the distance between the second lens unit and the third lens unit is smaller at the telephoto end than at the wide angle end, and the distance between the fourth lens unit and the fifth lens unit is larger at the telephoto end than at the wide angle end.

The above configuration is preferred for achieving a wide angle of view at the wide angle end of the zoom range, making the overall length of the zoom lens small, and achieving an adequate zoom ratio.

The above configuration facilitates symmetric refractive power arrangement design with the third lens unit located close to the aperture stop being at the center, throughout the entire zoom range. This is advantageous for maintaining satisfactory optical performance. In particular, the negative refractive power of the fourth lens unit favors reduction in the diameter and length of the portion of the zoom lens located closer to the object side than the fourth lens unit at the wide angle end.

The zoom lens according to this mode of the invention is further characterized by satisfying the following conditional expression (1):
3.5≦LTLw/IHt≦8.9  (1),
where LTLw is the sum of the distance on the optical axis between the refractive surface closest to the object side and the refractive surface closest to the image side among the refractive surfaces in the zoom lens and the equivalent air distance of the back focus at the wide angle end of the zoom range in the state in which the zoom lens is focused at infinity on the optical axis, and IHt is the largest image height at the telephoto end of the zoom range in the state in which the zoom lens is focused at infinity on the optical axis.

In order to achieve a high zoom ratio, it is preferred that the lower limit of conditional expression (1) be not fell below so that a sufficiently large gap can be left between the second lens unit, which provides the main contribution to the magnification variation, and the third lens unit at the wide angle end.

It is preferred that the upper limit of conditional expression (1) be not exceeded so that the overall length of the zoom lens at the wide angle end can be made small. This is advantageous for reduction of eclipse of the flash light in the focal length range near the wide angle end. The reduction in the overall length of the zoom lens facilitates the prevention of vignetting of flash light without need for making the position of the flash unit higher or more forward. This will lead to a reduction in the size of the camera advantageously. This is also advantageous for reduction of the overall size in the case of a camera equipped with a popup flash unit, because the space for accommodating the flash unit can be made small.

A zoom lens according to a mode of the present invention is characterized in that the third lens unit includes a negative lens and a plurality of positive lenses.

Even when the third lens unit is designed to have a high refractive power in order to reduce the size of the zoom lens and to achieve an adequate zoom lens, the above-described configuration of the third lens unit will facilitate reduction of spherical aberration in the third lens unit.

As the third lens unit includes two or more positive lenses, they can be adapted to converge light in cooperation. The negative lens can be adapted to cancel aberrations generated by the two or more positive lenses. Thus, excellent optical performance can be achieved throughout the entire zoom range.

The zoom lens according to this mode is further characterized by satisfying the following conditional expression (2):
3.5≦LTLw/IHt≦10.0  (2).

The advantages of the numerical limitations by conditional expression (2) are the same as those of conditional expression (1) described above.

A zoom lens according to a mode of the present invention is characterized in that the third lens unit includes two lenses cemented together with the cemented surface having a negative refractive power, an object side positive lens located closer to the object side than the aforementioned two lenses, and an image side lens located closer to the image side than the aforementioned two lenses, that the composite refractive power of the portion from the object side surface of the third lens unit to the image side surface of the lens located on the object side of the aforementioned two lenses is positive, and that the image side lens has a lens surface having a positive refractive power.

With this configuration, the third lens unit is designed to have a high refractive power, and spherical aberration and coma are made small. In the third lens unit, the composite refractive power of the partial system arranged before the two lenses that are cemented together to have a cemented surface having a negative refractive power is positive, and the rear partial system has a lens surface having a positive refractive power. This configuration favors correction of aberrations in the third lens unit. The negative refractive power of the cemented surface of the two lenses enables satisfactory correction of chromatic aberration, spherical aberration, and coma throughout the entire zoom range.

If the image side lens is a positive lens and the composite refractive power of the portion from the object side surface of the lens located immediately after (or on the image side of) the two lenses that are cemented together to have a cemented surface having a negative refractive power to the image side surface of the third lens unit is positive, the degree of symmetry of the refractive power arrangement is enhanced, further facilitating aberration correction.

On the other hand, if the composite refractive power of the portion from the object side surface of lens located on the image side of the two lenses that are cemented together to have a cemented surface having a negative refractive power to the image side surface of the third lens unit is negative, the position of the principal point of the third lens unit can be made closer to the object side, enhancing the magnification changing effect provided by change in the distance between the second lens unit and the third lens unit. This is advantageous in achieving an adequate zoom ratio.

The zoom lens according to this mode is further characterized by satisfying the following conditional expression (3):
0.5≦|f2/IHt|≦1.3  (3),
where f2 is the focal length of the second lens unit, and IHt is the largest image height of the zoom lens at the telephoto end in the state in which the zoom lens is focused at infinity on the optical axis.

As the negative refractive power of the second lens unit is so low that the lower limit of conditional expression (3) is not fell below, reduction of the overall length of the zoom lens at the wide angle end is facilitated.

As the upper limit of conditional expression (3) is not exceeded, an adequate zoom ratio and wide angle of view at the wide angle end can be achieved advantageously.

The zoom lens according to the above-described mode is further characterized by satisfying the following conditional expression (4):
0.7≦f3/IHt≦2.0  (4),
where f3 is the focal length of the third lens unit, and IHt is the largest image height of the zoom lens at the telephoto end in the state in which the zoom lens is focused at infinity on the optical axis.

The advantages of the numerical limitations by conditional expression (4) are the same as those of conditional expression (3) described above.

The zoom lens according to the above-described mode is further characterized by satisfying the following conditional expression (5):
0.6≦f3/fw≦1.6  (5),
where f3 is the focal length of the third lens unit, and fw is the focal length of the zoom lens at the wide angle end in the state in which the zoom lens is focused at infinity on the optical axis.

As the positive refractive power of the third lens unit is so low that the lower limit of conditional expression (5) is not fell below, negative spherical aberration can readily be reduced, or the number of lenses in the third lens unit can be reduced. The reduction in the number of lenses in the third unit facilitates reduction in the overall length of the zoom lens at the wide angle end.

As the positive refractive power of the third lens unit is so high that the upper limit of conditional expression (5) is not exceeded, reduction in the overall length of the zoom lens at the wide angle end will be facilitated.

It is preferred that the zoom lens according to the above-described modes satisfy the following conditional expression (6):
4.0≦f1/fw≦8.5  (6),
where f1 is the focal length of the first lens unit, and fw is the focal length of the zoom lens at the wide angle end in the state in which the zoom lens is focused at infinity on the optical axis.

If the lower limit of conditional expression (6) is not fell below, the position of the entrance pupil can be made closer to the first surface of the zoom lens. This leads to a reduction in the lens diameter in the first lens unit, facilitating reduction in the size of the lens barrel, or alternatively facilitating increase in the angle of view at the wide angle end.

If the upper limit of conditional expression (6) is not exceeded, a sufficiently high zoom ratio can readily be achieved, and/or reduction in the overall length of the zoom lens can readily be achieved over the entire zoom range.

In the zoom lens according to the above-described modes, it is preferred that the second lens unit include a positive lens that satisfies the following conditional expression (7):
13≦νd2p≦23  (7),
where νd2p is the Abbe constant of the positive lens in the second lens unit with respect to the d-line, the Abbe constant νd2p being expressed by the equation “νd2p=(nd2p−1)/(nF2p−nC2p)”, where nd2p is the refractive index of the positive lens with respect to the d-line, nC2p is the refractive index of the positive lens with respect to the C-line, and nF2p is the refractive index of the positive lens with respect to the F-line.

It is favorable for the second lens unit to have a sufficiently high negative refractive power in order to achieve a wide angle of view at the wide angle end and to achieve a sufficiently high zoom ratio. However, the second lens unit having a high negative refractive power tends to lead to axial chromatic aberration and chromatic aberration of magnification. Providing a positive lens in the second lens unit enables cancellation of chromatic aberration.

If the lower limit of conditional expression (7) is not fell below, overcorrection of the aforementioned chromatic aberration can be prevented.

If the upper limit of conditional expression (7) is not exceeded, insufficient correction of the aforementioned chromatic aberration can be prevented, allowing to increase the negative refractive power of the second lens unit, or leading to a decrease in the number of lenses needed to correct chromatic aberration to facilitate reduction of the overall length of the zoom lens at the wide angle end. It is desirable that the second lens unit, which tends to be necessitated to have a relatively large lens diameter, be composed of four or less lenses, more desirably three or less lenses, in order to achieve a further reduction in the overall length of the zoom lens at the wide angle end.

It is preferred that the zoom lens according to the above-described modes satisfy the following conditional expression (8):
−18.0%≦DTw≦−6.0%  (8),
where DTw={IHw−fw×tan(ωw)}/{fw×tan(ωw)}×100(%), where fw is the focal length of the zoom lens at the wide angle end in the state in which the zoom lens is focused at infinity on the optical axis, IHw is the largest image height at the wide angle end in the state in which the zoom lens is focused at infinity on the optical axis, and ωw is the half angle of view of the zoom lens at the wide angle end in the state in which the zoom lens is focused at infinity on the optical axis.

It is favorable that the positive refractive power of the first lens unit and the negative refractive power of the second lens unit be high, in order to make the overall length and diameter of the zoom lens at the wide angle end small. However, increasing the negative refractive power of the second lens unit leads to negative distortion generated in the second lens unit. On the other hand, the second lens unit is a lens unit that greatly contributes to correction of curvature of field. Therefore, if distortion is allowed to be left, increasing the refractive power facilitates correction of curvature of field and size reduction of the zoom lens.

If the negative refractive power of the second lens unit is so low that the under limit of conditional expression (8) is not fell below, positive curvature of field can be made smaller.

If the negative refractive power of the second lens unit is so high that the upper limit of conditional expression (8) is not exceeded, reduction of the diameter of the zoom lens will be facilitated.

In the zoom lens according to the above-described modes, it is preferred that the second lens unit include, in order from the object side, a first negative lens component having a negative refractive power, a second negative lens component having a negative refractive power, and a positive lens component having a positive refractive power. Here, the term “lens component” refers to a lens block whose refractive surfaces that are in contact with air on the optical axis include only two surfaces or an object side surface and an image side surface.

To achieve satisfactory correction of curvature of field in the second lens unit in the zoom range near the wide angle end, it is desirable that the second lens unit have a lens component having a high negative refractive power arranged as an object side component. When the second lens unit is designed to have a high negative refractive power, the object side two negative lens components in the second lens unit are adapted not to generate large spherical aberration, and the positive lens component having a positive refractive power is arranged as an image side lens component, which can most effectively correct spherical aberration among the lens components in the second lens unit. Thus, spherical aberration can be corrected effectively.

In the zoom lens according to the above-described mode, it is preferred that the first negative lens component, the second negative lens component, and the positive lens component in the second lens unit be single lenses.

In the above-described configuration, each lens component may be constituted by a single lens, and the second lens unit may be composed of three lenses. Then, the overall thickness (or length) of the second lens unit can be made small, facilitating reduction in the overall length of the zoom lens at the wide angle end.

In the zoom lens according to the above-described mode, it is preferred that the third lens unit include four lenses, which are, in order from the object side to the image side, an object side positive lens, two lenses, and an image side lens, and that the image side lens be a positive lens.

With the above-described configuration of the third lens unit including a cemented surface having a negative refractive power, aberrations, in particular spherical aberration, coma, and chromatic aberration can be corrected effectively. In addition, the above-described four lens configuration of the third lens unit enables the third lens unit to have a sufficiently high refractive power and leads to a reduction in the overall thickness, facilitating reduction in the overall length of the zoom lens at the wide angle end.

In the zoom lens according to the above-described mode, it is preferred that the two lenses and the image side lens constitute a cemented triplet lens.

Then, the third lens unit is composed of two lens components, making the third lens unit less affected by assembly errors, contributing to the stability of performance.

In the zoom lens according to the above-described modes, it is preferred that the first lens unit include, in order from the object side to the image side, a negative lens, a first positive lens, and a second positive lens. With this configuration, curvature of field, distortion, and off-axis chromatic aberration can be excellently corrected, and the first lens unit can be designed to have a high refractive power. Furthermore, reduction in the overall length of the zoom lens can be facilitated throughout the entire zoom range.

In the zoom lens according to the above-described mode, it is preferred that the negative lens and the first positive lens in the first lens unit be cemented together.

This can reduce assembly errors of the negative lens and the first positive lens, and the refractive power can be made higher, facilitating size reduction.

In the zoom lens according to the above-described modes, it is preferred that the first lens unit include a positive lens, and all the positive lenses in the first lens unit satisfy the following conditional expression (9):
νdlp>62  (9),
where νdlp is the Abbe constant of each of the positive lenses in the first lens unit.

The longer the focal length at the telephoto end is, the more aberrations generated in the first lens unit are magnified by the succeeding lens units. The above-described configuration of the first lens unit can lead to reduction of chromatic aberration generated in the first lens unit, favoring increase in the zoom ratio.

The Abbe constant νdlp mentioned here is an Abbe constant with respect to the d-line and expressed by the equation “νd1p=(nd1p−1)/(nF1p−nC1p)”, where nd1p is the refractive index of the positive lens in the first lens unit with respect to the d-line, nC1p is the refractive index of the positive lens in the first lens unit with respect to the C-line, and nF1p is the refractive index of the positive lens in the first lens unit with respect to the F-line.

In the zoom lens according to the above-described modes, it is preferred that any one of the positive lenses in the first lens unit satisfy the following conditional expression (10):
νdlp>65  (10),

where νdlp is the Abbe constant of the positive lens in the first lens unit.

Satisfying conditional expression (10) facilitates reduction of chromatic aberration, leading to an increased zoom ratio.

Advantages of placing the numerical limitation of conditional expression (10) are the same as the above-described conditional expression (9).

In the zoom lens according to the above-described modes, it is preferred that the second lens unit include a positive lens that satisfies the following conditional expression (11):
0.620≦θgF2p≦0.690  (11),
where θgF2p=(ng2p−nF2p)/(nF2p−nC2p), where ng2p is the refractive index of the positive lens in the second lens unit with respect to the g-line, nF2p is the refractive index of the positive lens in the second lens unit with respect to the F-line, and nC2p is the refractive index of the positive lens in the second lens unit with respect to the C-line.

If the second lens unit has a high negative refractive power, axial chromatic aberration and chromatic aberration of magnification tend to be generated.

Not falling below the lower limit of conditional expression (11) is favorable for correction of the aforementioned chromatic aberration and for the second lens unit to have an adequate refractive power.

Not exceeding the upper limit of conditional expression (11) can prevent overcorrection of the aforementioned chromatic aberration.

In the zoom lens according to the above-described modes, it is preferred that the lens located immediately after (or on the image side of) the two lenses in the third lens unit have an object side surface convex toward the object side and satisfy the following conditional expression (12):
RR0/RCI≦1  (12),
where RR0 is the paraxial radius of curvature of the object side surface of the lens located immediately after (or on the image side of) the two lenses, and RCI is the paraxial radius of curvature of the image side surface of the image side lens among the two lenses in the third lens unit.

With this configuration, the principal point of the third lens unit can readily be located closer to the object side, leading to a reduction in the overall length of the zoom lens at the wide angle end and an increase in the zoom ratio. Moreover, satisfying conditional expression (12) is favorable for reduction of high-order spherical aberration and coma.

In the zoom lens according to the above-described modes, it is preferred that the following conditional expression (13) be satisfied:
37°≦ωw≦50°  (13),
where ωw is the half angle of view of the zoom lens at the wide angle end in the state in which the zoom lens is focused at infinity on the optical axis.

It is preferred that the lower limit of conditional expression (13) be not fell below to allow wide variety of shooting and that the upper limit of conditional expression (13) be not exceeded so as not to make the angle of view excessively large. This condition favors both reduction of the overall length of the zoom lens at the wide angle end and reduction of diameter of the zoom lens.

It is preferred that the zoom lens according to the above-described mode further satisfy the following conditional expression (14):
4.5≦ft/fw  (14),
where fw is the focal length of the zoom lens at the wide angle end in the state in which the zoom lens is focused at infinity on the optical axis, and ft is the focal length of the zoom lens at the telephoto end in the state in which the zoom lens is focused at infinity on the optical axis.

If conditional expression (14) is satisfied, the angle of view can be varied over a wide range, enabling satisfactory shooting in various shooting situations.

In the zoom lens according to the above-described modes, it is preferred that the following conditional expression (2) be satisfied:
3.5≦LTLw/IHt≦10.0  (2),
where LTLw is the sum of the distance on the optical axis between the refractive surface closest to the object side and the refractive surface closest to the image side among the refractive surfaces in the zoom lens and the equivalent air distance of the back focus at the wide angle end in the state in which the zoom lens is focused at infinity on the optical axis, and IHt is the largest image height at the telephoto end in the state in which the zoom lens is focused at infinity on the optical axis.

In the zoom lens according to the above-described modes, it is preferred that the third lens unit include a negative lens and a plurality of positive lenses.

In the zoom lens according to the above-described modes, it is preferred that the third lens unit include two lenses cemented together with the cemented surface having a negative refractive power, an object side positive lens located closer to the object side than the aforementioned two lenses, and an image side lens located closer to the image side than the aforementioned two lenses, that the composite refractive power of the portion from the object side surface of the third lens unit to the image side surface of the lens located immediately before (or on the object side of) the aforementioned two lenses be positive, and that the image side lens have a lens surface having a positive refractive power.

In the zoom lens according to the above-described modes, it is preferred that the following conditional expression (3) be satisfied:
0.5≦|f2/IHt|≦1.3  (3),
where f2 is the focal length of the second lens unit, and IHt is the largest image height of the zoom lens at the telephoto end in the state in which the zoom lens is focused at infinity on the optical axis.

In the zoom lens according to the above-described modes, it is preferred that the following conditional expression (4) be satisfied:
0.7≦f3/IHt≦2.0  (4),
where f3 is the focal length of the third lens unit, and IHt is the largest image height of the zoom lens at the telephoto end in the state in which the zoom lens is focused at infinity on the optical axis.

In the zoom lens according to the above-described modes, it is preferred that the following conditional expression (5) be satisfied:
0.6≦f3/fw≦1.6  (5),
where f3 is the focal length of the third lens unit, and fw is the focal length of the zoom lens at the wide angle end in the state in which the zoom lens is focused at infinity on the optical axis.

In the zoom lens according to the above-described modes, it is preferred that the fifth lens unit be kept stationary during zooming from the wide angle end to the telephoto end and that the fourth lens unit move toward the image side for focusing from infinity to an object at a close distance.

Keeping the fifth lens unit stationary facilitates reduction of drive noises generated upon focusing during video shooting. The fourth lens unit can be designed to be light weighted and is suitable for use as a focusing lens unit in video shooting.

An image pickup apparatus according to a mode of the present invention includes a zoom lens according to the above-described modes and an image pickup element arranged on the image side of the zoom lens to convert an image formed by the zoom lens into an electric signal.

In the image pickup apparatus according to this mode, it is preferred that the zoom lens be the zoom lens according to the above-described mode, the lens located immediately after (or on the image side of) of the two lenses in the third lens unit have an object side surface convex toward the object side, a lens in the third lens unit located closer to the image side than the two lenses be shifted eccentrically relative to the two lenses in order to prevent image blur by stabilizing image shift caused by vibration of the zoom lens, and the zoom lens satisfy the following conditional expression (15):
RR0/RCI≦1  (15),
where RR0 is the paraxial radius of curvature of the object side surface of the lens located immediately after the two lenses in the third lens unit, and RCI is the paraxial radius of curvature of the image side surface of the image side lens among the two lenses in the third lens unit.

Satisfying conditional expression (15) is favorable for reduction of high-order spherical aberration and coma. The above feature facilitates reduction of deterioration in the optical performance by virtue of stabilization of image shift. Moreover, with the above feature, excellent performance can readily be achieved throughout the entire zoom range with the refractive power of the third lens unit increased, and reduction of image blur caused by vibration will be facilitated.

It is more preferred that two or more of the above-described conditions or features be satisfied. It is more preferred that one or both of the upper and lower limit values in the conditional expressions presented in the foregoing be further limited as follows in order that the advantages can be enjoyed more surely.

In conditional expression (1), it is more preferred that the upper limit value be 9.0, still more preferably 8.9, still more preferably 8.5, still more preferably 7.0, and the lower limit value be 4.0, still more preferably 4.5.

In conditional expression (3), it is more preferred that the upper limit value be 1.2, and the lower limit value be 0.6.

In conditional expression (4), it is more preferred that the upper limit value be 1.5, and the lower limit value be 0.8.

In conditional expression (5), it is more preferred that the upper limit value be 1.4, and the lower limit value be 0.8.

In conditional expression (6), it is more preferred that the upper limit value be 7.5, still more preferably 6.5, and the lower limit value be 4.5.

In conditional expression (7), it is more preferred that the upper limit value be 22, and the lower limit value be 15.

In conditional expression (8), it is more preferred that the upper limit value be −8%, and the lower limit value be −15%.

In conditional expression (9), it is more preferred that the lower limit value be 65.

In conditional expression (10), it is more preferred that the lower limit value be 70, still more preferably 80.

In conditional expression (11), it is more preferred that the upper limit value be 0.675, and the lower limit value be 0.630.

In conditional expression (13), it is more preferred that the lower limit value be 40°.

In conditional expression (14), it is more preferred that the lower limit value be 4.7.

In the following first to seventh embodiments of the present invention will be described. FIGS. 1A, 2A, 3A, 4A, 5A, 6A, and 7A are cross sectional views of the zoom lenses according to the first to seventh embodiments at the wide angle end in the state that the zoom lenses are focused on an object point at infinity. FIGS. 1B, 2B, 3B, 4B, 5B, 6B, and 7B are cross sectional views of the zoom lenses according to the first to seventh embodiments in an intermediate focal length state in the state that the zoom lenses are focused on an object point at infinity. FIGS. 1C, 2C, 3C, 4C, 5C, 6C, and 7C are cross sectional views of the zoom lenses according to the first to seventh embodiments at the telephoto end in the state that the zoom lenses are focused on an object point at infinity. In FIGS. 1A to 7A, 1B to 7B, and 1C to 7C, a first lens unit is denoted by G1, a second lens unit is denoted by G2, a third lens unit is denoted by G3, a fourth lens unit is denoted by G4, a fifth lens unit is denoted by G5, an aperture stop is denoted by S, and the image plane is denoted by I.

All the numerical data of the embodiments are for the state in which the zoom lens is focused on an object at infinity. In the numerical data, all dimensions are in millimeters and all angles are in degrees. In all the embodiments, focusing is performed by moving the fourth lens unit G4 (as indicated in the cross sectional views by the legend “focus”). Zoom data will be given for the wide angle end (wide angle), for the intermediate zoom state (intermediate), and for the telephoto end (tele). In the first to sixth embodiments, the lens component located closest to the image side in the third lens unit is shifted eccentrically (I.S.) to stabilize image shift caused by vibration of the zoom lens. In cases where the refractive power of the image side lens component is low, the lens component closest to the object side in the third lens unit may be shifted eccentrically.

As shown in FIGS. 1A to 1C, the zoom lens according to the first embodiment includes, in order from the object side, a first lens unit G1 having a positive refractive power, a second lens unit G2 having a negative refractive power, an aperture stop S, a third lens unit G3 having a positive refractive power, a fourth lens unit G4 having a negative refractive power, and a fifth lens unit G5 having a positive refractive power.

The first lens unit G1 is composed of a negative meniscus lens L1 having a convex surface directed toward the object side, a positive meniscus lens L2 having a convex surface directed toward the object side, and a positive meniscus lens L3 having a convex surface directed toward the object side. The negative meniscus lens L1 and the positive meniscus lens L2 are cemented together. The second lens unit G2 is composed of a negative meniscus lens L4 having a convex surface directed toward the object side, a biconcave negative lens L5, and a biconvex positive lens L6. The third lens unit G3 is composed of a positive meniscus lens L7 having a convex surface directed toward the object side, a biconvex positive lens L8, a negative meniscus lens L9 having a convex surface directed toward the image side, and a biconvex positive lens L10. The biconvex positive lens L8 and the negative meniscus lens L9 are cemented together. The fourth lens unit G4 is composed of a biconcave negative lens L11. The fifth lens unit G5 is composed of a positive meniscus lens L12 having a convex surface directed toward the image side. The lens elements in each lens unit are arranged in the mentioned order from the object side.

During zooming from the wide angle end to the telephoto end, the first lens unit G1 moves toward the object side, the second lens unit G2 moves toward the object side, the third lens unit G3 moves toward the object side, the fourth lens unit G4 moves toward the object side, the fifth lens unit G5 is fixed (stationary), and the aperture stop S moves toward the object side.

There are ten aspheric surfaces, which include both surfaces of the biconcave negative lens L5, both surfaces of the positive meniscus lens L7, both surfaces of the biconvex positive lens L10, both surfaces of the biconcave negative lens L11, and both surfaces of the positive meniscus lens L12.

As shown in FIGS. 2A to 2C, the zoom lens according to the second embodiment includes, in order from the object side, a first lens unit G1 having a positive refractive power, a second lens unit G2 having a negative refractive power, an aperture stop S, a third lens unit G3 having a positive refractive power, a fourth lens unit G4 having a negative refractive power, and a fifth lens unit G5 having a positive refractive power.

The first lens unit G1 is composed of a negative meniscus lens L1 having a convex surface directed toward the object side, a positive meniscus lens L2 having a convex surface directed toward the object side, and a positive meniscus lens L3 having a convex surface directed toward the object side. The negative meniscus lens L1 and the positive meniscus lens L2 are cemented together. The second lens unit G2 is composed of a negative meniscus lens L4 having a convex surface directed toward the object side, a biconcave negative lens L5, and a biconvex positive lens L6. The third lens unit G3 is composed of a positive meniscus lens L7 having a convex surface directed toward the object side, a biconvex positive lens L8, a negative meniscus lens L9 having a convex surface directed toward the image side, and a biconvex positive lens L10. The biconvex positive lens L8 and the negative meniscus lens L9 are cemented together. The fourth lens unit G4 is composed of a biconcave negative lens L11. The fifth lens unit G5 is composed of a positive meniscus lens L12 having a convex surface directed toward the image side. The lens elements in each lens unit are arranged in the mentioned order from the object side.

During zooming from the wide angle end to the telephoto end, the first lens unit G1 moves toward the object side, the second lens unit G2 moves toward the object side, the third lens unit G3 moves toward the object side, the fourth lens unit G4 moves toward the object side, the fifth lens unit G5 is fixed (stationary), and the aperture stop S moves toward the object side.

There are ten aspheric surfaces, which include both surfaces of the biconcave negative lens L5, both surfaces of the positive meniscus lens L7, both surfaces of the biconvex positive lens L10, both surfaces of the biconcave negative lens L11, and both surfaces of the positive meniscus lens L12.

As shown in FIGS. 3A to 3C, the zoom lens according to the third embodiment includes, in order from the object side, a first lens unit G1 having a positive refractive power, a second lens unit G2 having a negative refractive power, an aperture stop S, a third lens unit G3 having a positive refractive power, a fourth lens unit G4 having a negative refractive power, and a fifth lens unit G5 having a positive refractive power.

The first lens unit G1 is composed of a negative meniscus lens L1 having a convex surface directed toward the object side, a positive meniscus lens L2 having a convex surface directed toward the object side, and a positive meniscus lens L3 having a convex surface directed toward the object side. The negative meniscus lens L1 and the positive meniscus lens L2 are cemented together. The second lens unit G2 is composed of a negative meniscus lens L4 having a convex surface directed toward the object side, a biconcave negative lens L5, and a biconvex positive lens L6. The third lens unit G3 is composed of a biconvex positive lens L7, a biconvex positive lens L8, a negative meniscus lens L9 having a convex surface directed toward the image side, and a negative meniscus lens L10 having a convex surface directed toward the object side. The biconvex positive lens L8 and the negative meniscus lens L9 are cemented together. The fourth lens unit G4 is composed of a negative meniscus lens L11 having a convex surface directed toward the object side. The fifth lens unit G5 is composed of a positive meniscus lens L12 having a convex surface directed toward the image side. The lens elements in each lens unit are arranged in the mentioned order from the object side.

During zooming from the wide angle end to the telephoto end, the first lens unit G1 moves toward the object side, the second lens unit G2 moves toward the object side, the third lens unit G3 moves toward the object side, the fourth lens unit G4 moves toward the object side, the fifth lens unit G5 is fixed (stationary), and the aperture stop S moves toward the object side.

There are ten aspheric surfaces, which include both surfaces of the biconcave negative lens L5, both surfaces of the biconvex positive lens L7, both surfaces of the negative meniscus lens L10, both surfaces of the negative meniscus lens L11, and both surfaces of the positive meniscus lens L12.

As shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C, the zoom lens according to the fourth embodiment includes, in order from the object side, a first lens unit G1 having a positive refractive power, a second lens unit G2 having a negative refractive power, an aperture stop S, a third lens unit G3 having a positive refractive power, a fourth lens unit G4 having a negative refractive power, and a fifth lens unit G5 having a positive refractive power.

The first lens unit G1 is composed of a negative meniscus lens L1 having a convex surface directed toward the object side, a positive meniscus lens L2 having a convex surface directed toward the object side, and a positive meniscus lens L3 having a convex surface directed toward the object side. The negative meniscus lens L1 and the positive meniscus lens L2 are cemented together. The second lens unit G2 is composed of a negative meniscus lens L4 having a convex surface directed toward the object side, a biconcave negative lens L5, and a positive meniscus lens L6 having a convex surface directed toward the object side. The third lens unit G3 is composed of a positive meniscus lens L7 having a convex surface directed toward the object side, a biconvex positive lens L8, a negative meniscus lens L9 having a convex surface directed toward the image side, and a biconvex positive lens L10. The biconvex positive lens L8 and the negative meniscus lens L9 are cemented together. The fourth lens unit G4 is composed of a negative meniscus lens having a convex surface directed toward the object side. The fifth lens unit G5 is composed of a biconvex positive lens L12. The lens elements in each lens unit are arranged in the mentioned order from the object side.

During zooming from the wide angle end to the telephoto end, the first lens unit G1 moves toward the object side, the second lens unit G2 moves toward the image side, the third lens unit G3 moves toward the object side, the fourth lens unit G4 moves toward the object side, the fifth lens unit G5 is fixed (stationary), and the aperture stop S moves toward the object side.

There are ten aspheric surfaces, which include both surfaces of the biconcave negative lens L5, both surfaces of the positive meniscus lens L7, both surfaces of the biconvex positive lens L10, both surfaces of the negative meniscus lens L11, and both surfaces of the biconvex positive lens L12.

As shown in FIGS. 5A to 5C, the zoom lens according to the fifth embodiment includes, in order from the object side, a first lens unit G1 having a positive refractive power, a second lens unit G2 having a negative refractive power, an aperture stop S, a third lens unit G3 having a positive refractive power, a fourth lens unit G4 having a negative refractive power, and a fifth lens unit G5 having a positive refractive power.

The first lens unit G1 is composed of a negative meniscus lens L1 having a convex surface directed toward the object side, a positive meniscus lens L2 having a convex surface directed toward the object side, and a positive meniscus lens L3 having a convex surface directed toward the object side. The negative meniscus lens L1 and the positive meniscus lens L2 are cemented together. The second lens unit G2 is composed of a negative meniscus lens L4 having a convex surface directed toward the object side, a biconcave negative lens L5, and a positive meniscus lens L6. The third lens unit G3 is composed of a positive meniscus lens L7 having a convex surface directed toward the object side, a biconvex positive lens L8, a negative meniscus lens L9 having a convex surface directed toward the image side, a negative meniscus lens L10 having a convex surface directed toward the object side, and a biconvex positive lens L11. The biconvex positive lens L8 and the negative meniscus lens L9 are cemented together, and the negative meniscus lens L10 and the biconvex positive lens L11 are cemented together. The fourth lens unit G4 is composed of a biconcave negative lens L12. The fifth lens unit G5 is composed of a biconvex positive lens L13. The lens elements in each lens unit are arranged in the mentioned order from the object side.

During zooming from the wide angle end to the telephoto end, the first lens unit G1 moves toward the object side, the second lens unit G2 moves toward the image side, the third lens unit G3 moves toward the object side, the fourth lens unit G4 moves toward the object side, the fifth lens unit G5 is fixed (stationary), and the aperture stop S moves toward the object side.

There are seven aspheric surfaces, which include both surfaces of the biconcave negative lens L5, both surfaces of the positive meniscus lens L7, both surfaces of the biconcave negative lens L12, and the object side surface of the biconvex positive lens L13.

As shown in FIGS. 6A to 6C, the zoom lens according to the sixth embodiment includes, in order from the object side, a first lens unit G1 having a positive refractive power, a second lens unit G2 having a negative refractive power, an aperture stop S, a third lens unit G3 having a positive refractive power, a fourth lens unit G4 having a negative refractive power, and a fifth lens unit G5 having a positive refractive power.

The first lens unit G1 is composed of a negative meniscus lens L1 having a convex surface directed toward the object side, a positive meniscus lens L2 having a convex surface directed toward the object side, and a positive meniscus lens L3 having a convex surface directed toward the object side. The negative meniscus lens L1 and the positive meniscus lens L2 are cemented together. The second lens unit G2 is composed of a negative meniscus lens L4 having a convex surface directed toward the object side, a biconcave negative lens L5, and a biconvex positive lens L6. The third lens unit G3 is composed of a positive meniscus lens L7 having a convex surface directed toward the object side, a biconvex positive lens L8, a biconcave negative lens L9, and a biconvex positive lens L10. The biconvex positive lens L8 and the biconcave negative lens L9 are cemented together. The fourth lens unit G4 is composed of a negative meniscus lens L11 having a convex surface directed toward the object side, and a negative meniscus lens L12 having a convex surface directed toward the image side. The fifth lens unit G5 is composed of a positive meniscus lens L13 having a convex surface directed toward the image side. The lens elements in each lens unit are arranged in the mentioned order from the object side.

During zooming from the wide angle end to the telephoto end, the first lens unit G1 moves toward the object side, the second lens unit G2 first moves toward the object side and thereafter moves toward the image side, the third lens unit G3 moves toward the object side, the fourth lens unit G4 moves toward the object side, the fifth lens unit G5 is fixed (stationary), and the aperture stop S moves toward the object side.

There are ten aspheric surfaces, which include both surfaces of the biconcave negative lens L5, both surfaces of the positive meniscus lens L7, both surfaces of the biconvex positive lens L10, both surfaces of the negative meniscus lens L12, and both surfaces of the positive meniscus lens L13.

As shown in FIGS. 7A to 7C, the zoom lens according to the seventh embodiment includes, in order from the object side, a first lens unit G1 having a positive refractive power, a second lens unit G2 having a negative refractive power, an aperture stop S, a third lens unit G3 having a positive refractive power, a fourth lens unit G4 having a negative refractive power, and a fifth lens unit G5 having a positive refractive power.

The first lens unit G1 is composed of a negative meniscus lens L1 having a convex surface directed toward the object side, a positive meniscus lens L2 having a convex surface directed toward the object side, and a positive meniscus lens L3 having a convex surface directed toward the object side. The negative meniscus lens L1 and the positive meniscus lens L2 are cemented together. The second lens unit G2 is composed of a negative meniscus lens L4 having a convex surface directed toward the object side, a biconcave negative lens L5, and a biconvex positive lens L6. The third lens unit G3 is composed of a biconvex positive lens L7, a biconvex positive lens L8, a biconcave negative lens L9, and a biconvex positive lens L10. The biconvex positive lens L8, the biconcave negative lens L9, and the biconvex positive lens L10 are cemented together. The fourth lens unit G4 is composed of a biconcave negative lens L11. The fifth lens unit G5 is composed of a positive meniscus lens L12 having a convex surface directed toward the image side. The lens elements in each lens unit are arranged in the mentioned order from the object side.

During zooming from the wide angle end to the telephoto end, the first lens unit G1 moves toward the object side, the second lens unit G2 moves toward the object side, the third lens unit G3 moves toward the object side, the fourth lens unit G4 moves toward the object side, the fifth lens unit G5 is fixed (stationary), and the aperture stop S moves toward the object side.

There are nine aspheric surfaces, which include both surfaces of the biconcave negative lens L5, both surfaces of the biconvex positive lens L7, the image side surface of the biconvex positive lens L10, both surfaces of the biconcave negative lens L11, and both surfaces of the positive meniscus lens L12.

Numerical data of each embodiment described above is shown below. Apart from symbols described above, FB denotes a back focus, f1, f2, . . . denotes a focal length of each lens unit, FNO denotes an F number, ωdenotes a half image angle, r denotes radius of curvature of each lens surface, d denotes a distance between two lenses, nd denotes a refractive index of each lens for a d-line, and νd denotes an Abbe's number for each lens. The overall length of the lens system which will be described later is a length which is obtained by adding the back focus to a distance from the first lens surface up to the last lens surface. FB (back focus) is a unit which is expressed upon air conversion of a distance from the last lens surface up to a paraxial image plane.

A shape of the aspheric surface is described by the following expression (I) using each aspherical surface coefficient in each embodiment, when Z is let to be a coordinate point on an optical axis, and Y is let to be a coordinate point on a direction orthogonal to the optical axis.
Z=(Y²/r)/[1+{1−(K+1)(Y/r)²}^1/2]+A₄Y⁴+A₆Y⁶+A₈Y⁸+A₁₀Y¹⁰  (I)

where, r denotes a paraxial radius of curvature, K denotes a conical coefficient, A₄, A₆, A₈, and A₁₀ denote aspherical surface coefficients of a fourth order, a sixth order, an eight order, a tenth order, and a twelfth order respectively. Moreover, in the aspherical surface coefficients, ‘e−n’ (where, n is an integral number) indicates ‘10⁻ⁿ’.

Further, WE denotes wide angle end, ST denotes intermediate focal length state and TE denotes telephoto end.

EXAMPLE 1

Unit mm
Surface data
	Surface no.	r	d	nd	νd
	Object plane	∞	∞
	1	47.695	1.400	1.84666	23.78
	2	34.063	4.900	1.61800	63.33
	3	165.037	0.100
	4	41.121	3.300	1.60300	65.44
	5	102.492	Variable
	6	36.874	1.200	1.88300	40.76
	7	7.454	4.653
	8*	−12.567	1.000	1.72903	54.04
	9*	32.827	0.100
	10	41.935	1.900	1.94595	17.98
	11	−39.659	Variable
	12(stop)	∞	Variable
	13*	9.367	2.936	1.59201	67.02
	14*	71.488	0.100
	15	12.079	5.248	1.49700	81.54
	16	−8.796	0.700	1.90366	31.32
	17	−177.565	0.100
	18*	24.703	1.600	1.69350	53.18
	19*	−66.287	Variable
	20*	−34.654	0.800	1.53071	55.69
	21*	33.314	Variable
	22*	−67.050	4.460	1.53071	55.69
	23*	−17.496	13.847
	Image plane	∞
	(Light receiving surface)
	stop surface 12
Aspherical surface data
	8th surface
	K = 0.0000
	A4 = −8.9370e−004, A6 = 4.4139e−005, A8 = −1.6958e−006,
	A10 = 3.3206e−008, A12 = 0.0000e+000, A14 = 0.0000e+000,
	A16 = 0.0000e+000, A18 = 0.0000e+000, A20 = 0.0000e+000
	9th surface
	K = 0.0000
	A4 = −8.6521e−004, A6 = 4.7230e−005, A8 = −1.8790e−006,
	A10 = 3.9393e−008, A12 = 0.0000e+000, A14 = 0.0000e+000,
	A16 = 0.0000e+000, A18 = 0.0000e+000,
	A20 = 0.0000e+000
	13th surface
	K = 0.0000
	A4 = −2.2000e−005, A6 = −8.4302e−007, A8 = −1.4000e−008,
	A10 = 3.6867e−010, A12 = 0.0000e+000, A14 = 0.0000e+000,
	A16 = 0.0000e+000, A18 = 0.0000e+000, A20 = 0.0000e+000
	14th surface
	K = 0.0000
	A4 = −6.1483e−005, A6 = −2.8928e−006, A8 = −4.6937e−008,
	A10 = 1.1518e−009, A12 = 0.0000e+000, A14 = 0.0000e+000,
	A16 = 0.0000e+000, A18 = 0.0000e+000, A20 = 0.0000e+000
	18th surface
	K = 0.0000
	A4 = −7.1544e−005, A6 = −5.0995e−006, A8 = −7.6392e−008,
	A10 = −2.8439e−009, A12 = 0.0000e+000, A14 = 0.0000e+000,
	A16 = 0.0000e+000, A18 = 0.0000e+000, A20 = 0.0000e+000
	19th surface
	K = 0.0000
	A4 = 4.6268e−004, A6 = 1.9190e−006, A8 = −8.3070e−008,
	A10 = −2.6743e−011, A12 = 0.0000e+000, A14 = 0.0000e+000,
	A16 = 0.0000e+000, A18 = 0.0000e+000, A20 = 0.0000e+000
	20th surface
	K = 0.0000
	A4 = 4.1877e−004, A6 = −7.3611e−006, A8 = −3.2351e−007,
	A10 = 7.1729e−009, A12 = 0.0000e+000, A14 = 0.0000e+000,
	A16 = 0.0000e+000, A18 = 0.0000e+000, A20 = 0.0000e+000
	21th surface
	K = 0.0000
	A4 = 4.6187e−004, A6 = −9.6978e−006, A8 = −2.4869e−007,
	A10 = 6.4250e−009, A12 = 0.0000e+000, A14 = 0.0000e+000,
	A16 = 0.0000e+000, A18 = 0.0000e+000, A20 = 0.0000e+000
	22th surface
	K = 0.0000
	A4 = 2.1271e−005, A6 = −1.1901e−007, A8 = 4.1202e−009,
	A10 = −2.9920e−011, A12 = 0.0000e+000, A14 = 0.0000e+000,
	A16 = 0.0000e+000, A18 = 0.0000e+000, A20 = 0.0000e+000
	23th surface
	K = 0.0000
	A4 = 4.9454e−005, A6 = −3.7779e−007, A8 = 6.8170e−009,
	A10 = −3.5156e−011, A12 = 0.0000e+000, A14 = 0.0000e+000,
	A16 = 0.0000e+000, A18 = 0.0000e+000, A20 = 0.0000e+000
Zoom data
		WE	ST	TE
	Focal length	12.249	25.475	58.644
	Fno.	3.900	5.500	6.100
	Angle of field 2ω	85.0	46.1	21.0
	Image height	10.08	11.15	11.15
	FB	13.847	13.847	13.847
	Lens total length	62.083	80.696	103.582
	d5	0.500	9.296	25.013
	d11	4.365	3.509	1.000
	d12	3.766	1.000	1.000
	d19	1.200	2.437	4.047
	d21	3.906	16.110	24.177
Unit focal length
	f1 = 61.7989	f2 = −7.51205	f3 = 11.3123	f4 = −31.875
	f5 = 43.2579
	RRO/RCI	−0.139
	ft/fw	4.788
	RCI	−177.565
	RRO	24.7029

EXAMPLE 2

Unit mm
Surface data
	Surface no.	r	d	nd	νd
	Object plane	∞	∞
	1	44.384	1.400	1.84666	23.78
	2	32.017	4.900	1.61800	63.33
	3	113.477	0.100
	4	41.622	3.200	1.61800	63.33
	5	107.616	Variable
	6	42.933	1.200	1.88300	40.76
	7	8.036	5.427
	8*	−15.590	1.100	1.72903	54.04
	9*	24.516	0.100
	10	42.804	1.800	1.94595	17.98
	11	−42.208	Variable
	12(stop)	∞	Variable
	13*	9.509	3.000	1.59201	67.02
	14*	115.899	0.432
	15	12.583	5.332	1.49700	81.54
	16	−8.327	0.700	1.90366	31.32
	17	−70.180	0.100
	18*	31.798	1.600	1.69350	53.18
	19*	−79.446	Variable
	20*	−38.464	0.800	1.53071	55.69
	21*	23.597	Variable
	22*	−60.763	4.832	1.53071	55.69
	23*	−17.021	13.898
	Image plane	∞
	(Light receiving surface)
	stop surface 12
Aspherical surface data
	8th surface
	K = 0.0000
	A4 = −9.4455e−004, A6 = 4.2790e−005, A8 = −1.4902e−006,
	A10 = 2.5533e−008, A12 = 0.0000e+000, A14 = 0.0000e+000,
	A16 = 0.0000e+000, A18 = 0.0000e+000, A20 = 0.0000e+000
	9th surface
	K = 0.0000
	A4 = −9.3512e−004, A6 = 4.6723e−005, A8 = −1.7357e−006,
	A10 = 3.2480e−008, A12 = 0.0000e+000, A14 = 0.0000e+000,
	A16 = 0.0000e+000, A18 = 0.0000e+000, A20 = 0.0000e+000
	13th surface
	K = 0.0000
	A4 = 6.5524e−006, A6 = −4.2717e−007, A8 = −2.2891e−008,
	A10 = 3.4152e−010, A12 = 0.0000e+000, A14 = 0.0000e+000,
	A16 = 0.0000e+000, A18 = 0.0000e+000, A20 = 0.0000e+000
	14th surface
	K = 0.0000
	A4 = 3.5768e−007, A6 = −2.1268e−006, A8 = −4.9995e−008,
	A10 = 8.9886e−010, A12 = 0.0000e+000, A14 = 0.0000e+000,
	A16 = 0.0000e+000, A18 = 0.0000e+000, A20 = 0.0000e+000
	18th surface
	K = 0.0000
	A4 = −3.2477e−005, A6 = −6.2036e−006, A8 = −1.4880e−007,
	A10 = −3.8629e−010, A12 = 0.0000e+000, A14 = 0.0000e+000,
	A16 = 0.0000e+000, A18 = 0.0000e+000, A20 = 0.0000e+000
	19th surface
	K = 0.0000
	A4 = 3.9580e−004, A6 = −8.1836e−008, A8 = −1.7631e−007,
	A10 = 2.3699e−009, A12 = 0.0000e+000, A14 = 0.0000e+000,
	A16 = 0.0000e+000, A18 = 0.0000e+000, A20 = 0.0000e+000
	20th surface
	K = 0.0000
	A4 = 4.3981e−004, A6 = −5.8985e−006, A8 = −3.2607e−007,
	A10 = 7.6928e−009, A12 = 0.0000e+000, A14 = 0.0000e+000,
	A16 = 0.0000e+000, A18 = 0.0000e+000, A20 = 0.0000e+000
	21th surface
	K = 0.0000
	A4 = 4.9199e−004, A6 = −7.8843e−006, A8 = −2.6016e−007,
	A10 = 6.5765e−009, A12 = 0.0000e+000, A14 = 0.0000e+000,
	A16 = 0.0000e+000, A18 = 0.0000e+000, A20 = 0.0000e+000
	22th surface
	K = 0.0000
	A4 = −2.7596e−006, A6 = 2.8738e−008, A8 = 3.1392e−009,
	A10 = −2.1852e−011, A12 = 0.0000e+000, A14 = 0.0000e+000,
	A16 = 0.0000e+000, A18 = 0.0000e+000, A20 = 0.0000e+000
	23th surface
	K = 0.0000
	A4 = 3.2459e−005, A6 = −3.0040e−007, A8 = 5.9187e−009,
	A10 = −2.6451e−011, A12 = 0.0000e+000, A14 = 0.0000e+000,
	A16 = 0.0000e+000, A18 = 0.0000e+000, A20 = 0.0000e+000
Zoom data
		WE	ST	TE
	Focal length	12.250	28.009	68.590
	Fno.	3.900	5.500	6.100
	Angle of field 2ω	85.2	42.3	18.0
	Image height	10.11	11.15	11.15
	FB	13.898	13.898	13.898
	Lens total length	64.083	83.392	108.571
	d5	0.500	8.277	28.177
	d11	4.542	3.373	1.000
	d12	4.582	1.000	1.000
	d19	1.207	3.342	3.917
	d21	3.331	17.478	24.558
Unit focal length
	f1 = 63.5258	f2 = −7.7611	f3 = 11.5221	f4 = −27.4349
	f5 = 42.9079
	RRO/RCI	−0.453
	ft/fw	5.599
	RCI	−70.1799
	RRO	31.7977

EXAMPLE 3

Unit mm
Surface data
	Surface no.	r	d	nd	νd
	Object plane	∞	∞
	1	48.045	1.400	2.00069	25.46
	2	37.338	5.100	1.49700	81.61
	3	266.383	0.100
	4	36.947	4.000	1.49700	81.61
	5	113.697	Variable
	6	46.864	1.200	1.88300	40.76
	7	8.223	5.087
	8*	−17.424	1.100	1.72903	54.04
	9*	40.986	0.100
	10	45.911	2.000	1.94595	17.98
	11	−57.159	Variable
	12(stop)	∞	Variable
	13*	9.566	4.957	1.49700	81.54
	14*	−44.397	0.173
	15	13.646	3.918	1.49700	81.61
	16	−15.752	0.800	1.90366	31.32
	17	−87.539	0.100
	18*	113.088	1.700	1.76802	49.24
	19*	73.379	Variable
	20*	88.795	0.800	1.83441	37.28
	21*	15.658	Variable
	22*	−256.424	5.276	1.49710	81.56
	23*	−18.331	14.737
	Image plane	∞
	(Light receiving surface)
	stop surface 12
Aspherical surface data
	8th surface
	K = 0.0000
	A4 = −5.6373e−004, A6 = 1.7822e−005, A8 = −4.7379e−007,
	A10 = 6.0826e−009, A12 = 0.0000e+000, A14 = 0.0000e+000,
	A16 = 0.0000e+000, A18 = 0.0000e+000, A20 = 0.0000e+000
	9th surface
	K = 0.0000
	A4 = −5.5856e−004, A6 = 1.9459e−005, A8 = −5.2477e−007,
	A10 = 7.0911e−009, A12 = 0.0000e+000, A14 = 0.0000e+000,
	A16 = 0.0000e+000, A18 = 0.0000e+000, A20 = 0.0000e+000
	13th surface
	K = 0.0000
	A4 = −8.1000e−005, A6 = 5.2425e−007, A8 = −3.7122e−008,
	A10 = 4.5000e−010, A12 = −1.5970e−012, A14 = 0.0000e+000,
	A16 = 0.0000e+000, A18 = 0.0000e+000, A20 = 0.0000e+000
	14th surface
	K = 0.0000
	A4 = −9.4290e−005, A6 = 2.3854e−006, A8 = −6.4913e−008,
	A10 = 4.7975e−010, A12 = 2.4700e−012, A14 = 0.0000e+000,
	A16 = 0.0000e+000, A18 = 0.0000e+000, A20 = 0.0000e+000
	18th surface
	K = 0.0000
	A4 = −2.1094e−004, A6 = 9.5687e−006, A8 = −2.3448e−007,
	A10 = 0.0000e+000, A12 = 0.0000e+000, A14 = 0.0000e+000,
	A16 = 0.0000e+000, A18 = 0.0000e+000, A20 = 0.0000e+000
	19th surface
	K = 0.0000
	A4 = 1.6006e−004, A6 = 1.1727e−005, A8 = −1.4875e−007,
	A10 = 0.0000e+000, A12 = 0.0000e+000, A14 = 0.0000e+000,
	A16 = 0.0000e+000, A18 = 0.0000e+000, A20 = 0.0000e+000
	20th surface
	K = 0.0000
	A4 = −8.8376e−005, A6 = −2.7360e−006, A8 = −2.1134e−008,
	A10 = 2.5000e−009, A12 = 0.0000e+000, A14 = 0.0000e+000,
	A16 = 0.0000e+000, A18 = 0.0000e+000, A20 = 0.0000e+000
	21th surface
	K = 0.0000
	A4 = −5.5452e−005, A6 = −4.5732e−006, A8 = 2.0582e−008,
	A10 = 1.2856e−009, A12 = 0.0000e+000, A14 = 0.0000e+000,
	A16 = 0.0000e+000, A18 = 0.0000e+000, A20 = 0.0000e+000
	22th surface
	K = 0.0000
	A4 = −2.3579e−005, A6 = 4.9528e−007, A8 = −1.6664e−009,
	A10 = 4.7360e−013, A12 = 0.0000e+000, A14 = 0.0000e+000,
	A16 = 0.0000e+000, A18 = 0.0000e+000, A20 = 0.0000e+000
	23th surface
	K = 0.0000
	A4 = −9.3071e−006, A6 = 2.3579e−007, A8 = 1.2742e−009,
	A10 = −7.4127e−012, A12 = 0.0000e+000, A14 = 0.0000e+000,
	A16 = 0.0000e+000, A18 = 0.0000e+000, A20 = 0.0000e+000
Zoom data
		WE	ST	TE
	Focal length	12.247	28.002	84.602
	Fno.	3.971	5.535	6.138
	Angle of field 2ω	84.6	42.3	14.6
	Image height	10.10	11.15	11.15
	FB	14.737	14.737	14.737
	Lens total length	70.071	87.700	115.094
	d5	0.500	9.477	33.036
	d11	7.643	5.360	1.000
	d12	5.000	1.000	1.000
	d19	1.245	4.254	6.857
	d21	3.136	15.063	20.653
Unit focal length
f1 = 68.1605	f2 = −8.73011	f3 = 12.4121	f4 = −22.8961
f5 = 39.4259
	RRO/RCI	−1.292
	ft/fw	6.908
	RCI	−87.5392
	RRO	113.088

EXAMPLE 4

Unit mm
Surface data
Surface no.	r	d	nd	νd
Object plane	∞	∞
1	48.252	1.400	2.00069	25.46
2	37.307	6.700	1.49700	81.61
3	296.695	0.100
4	56.167	3.472	1.60300	65.44
5	180.333	Variable
6	109.460	1.200	1.88300	40.76
7	13.500	4.634
8*	−27.368	1.100	1.72903	54.04
9*	29.555	1.440
10	25.732	2.300	1.94595	17.98
11	83.935	Variable
12(stop)	∞	1.300
13*	10.255	2.941	1.49700	81.54
14*	60.947	3.152
15	27.962	5.449	1.63854	55.38
16	−7.872	0.800	1.88300	40.76
17	−592.740	0.300
18*	13.368	2.800	1.51633	64.14
19*	−230.393	Variable
20*	166.407	1.000	1.80139	45.45
21*	11.821	Variable
22*	179.705	4.603	1.49710	81.56
23*	−22.868	15.653
Image plane	∞
(Light receiving surface)
stop surface	12
Aspherical surface data
	8th surface
	K = 0.0000
	A4 = 1.7280e−007, A6 = 2.6974e−007, A8 = 1.8914e−010,
	A10 = −9.8172e−012, A12 = 0.0000e+000, A14 = 0.0000e+000,
	A16 = 0.0000e+000, A18 = 0.0000e+000, A20 = 0.0000e+000
	9th surface
	K = 0.0000
	A4 = 9.5090e−006, A6 = 2.1983e−007, A8 = 2.2921e−009,
	A10 = −2.4096e−011, A12 = 0.0000e+000, A14 = 0.0000e+000,
	A16 = 0.0000e+000, A18 = 0.0000e+000, A20 = 0.0000e+000
	13th surface
	K = 0.0000
	A4 = −1.5800e−005, A6 = 4.5000e−007, A8 = −2.3463e−008,
	A10 = 1.7222e−010, A12 = −5.4219e−012, A14 = 0.0000e+000,
	A16 = 0.0000e+000, A18 = 0.0000e+000, A20 = 0.0000e+000
	14th surface
	K = 0.0000
	A4 = −1.8634e−006, A6 = 1.8315e−007, A8 = −2.8586e−008,
	A10 = −7.7086e−011, A12 = −1.9235e−012, A14 = 0.0000e+000,
	A16 = 0.0000e+000, A18 = 0.0000e+000, A20 = 0.0000e+000
	18th surface
	K = 0.0000
	A4 = 4.1360e−005, A6 = 2.3010e−006, A8 = −6.8235e−008,
	A10 = 0.0000e+000, A12 = 0.0000e+000, A14 = 0.0000e+000,
	A16 = 0.0000e+000, A18 = 0.0000e+000, A20 = 0.0000e+000
	19th surface
	K = 0.0000
	A4 = 2.4772e−004, A6 = 3.6931e−006, A8 = −8.0091e−008,
	A10 = 0.0000e+000, A12 = 0.0000e+000, A14 = 0.0000e+000,
	A16 = 0.0000e+000, A18 = 0.0000e+000, A20 = 0.0000e+000
	20th surface
	K = 0.0000
	A4 = 1.4773e−005, A6 = −4.5608e−007, A8 = −1.9724e−008,
	A10 = 5.8799e−010, A12 = 0.0000e+000, A14 = 0.0000e+000,
	A16 = 0.0000e+000, A18 = 0.0000e+000, A20 = 0.0000e+000
	21th surface
	K = 0.0000
	A4 = 3.0185e−005, A6 = −3.6710e−007, A8 = −5.2205e−008,
	A10 = 1.1570e−009, A12 = 0.0000e+000, A14 = 0.0000e+000,
	A16 = 0.0000e+000, A18 = 0.0000e+000, A20 = 0.0000e+000
	22th surface
	K = 0.0000
	A4 = −2.2915e−005, A6 = 1.5349e−007, A8 = 2.2202e−009,
	A10 = −1.7048e−011, A12 = 0.0000e+000, A14 = 0.0000e+000,
	A16 = 0.0000e+000, A18 = 0.0000e+000, A20 = 0.0000e+000
	23th surface
	K = 0.0000
	A4 = −2.0317e−005, A6 = −1.9223e−007, A8 = 5.5225e−009,
	A10 = −2.6769e−011, A12 = 0.0000e+000, A14 = 0.0000e+000,
	A16 = 0.0000e+000, A18 = 0.0000e+000, A20 = 0.0000e+000
Zoom data
		WE	ST	TE
	Focal length	12.247	34.009	117.568
	Fno.	4.000	5.500	6.200
	Angle of field 2ω	84.6	35.3	10.5
	Image height	10.04	11.15	11.15
	FB	15.653	15.653	15.653
	Lens total length	95.572	109.416	128.582
	d5	0.500	16.510	39.263
	d11	28.330	12.398	1.000
	d19	1.806	5.015	9.460
	d21	4.592	15.148	18.516
Unit focal length
	f1 = 76.9854	f2 = −11.6484	f3 = 15.6647	f4 = −15.925
	f5 = 41.1207
	RRO/RCI	−0.023
	ft/fw	9.600
	RCI	−592.74
	RRO	13.3684

EXAMPLE 5

Unit mm
Surface data
Surface no.	r	d	nd	νd
Object plane	∞	∞
1	46.276	1.400	2.00330	28.27
2	35.701	6.700	1.49700	81.61
3	179.682	0.100
4	52.522	3.865	1.59282	68.63
5	179.421	Variable
6	155.698	1.200	1.88300	40.76
7	13.500	5.279
8*	−29.049	1.100	1.76802	49.24
9*	36.852	1.835
10	32.273	2.500	1.92286	18.90
11	766.965	Variable
12(stop)	∞	Variable
13*	13.941	3.267	1.49700	81.54
14*	215.658	0.100
15	19.642	5.647	1.61293	37.00
16	−10.819	0.800	1.91082	35.25
17	−27.827	0.100
18	20.131	0.800	1.90366	31.32
19	7.429	4.323	1.49700	81.54
20	−131.704	Variable
21*	−68.343	1.100	1.53071	55.69
22*	10.730	Variable
23*	175.465	5.184	1.49710	81.56
24	−20.641	15.363
Image plane	∞
(Light receiving surface)
stop surface	12
Aspherical surface data
	8th surface
	K = 0.0000
	A4 = 3.2975e−005, A6 = −2.4885e−007, A8 = −2.8015e−010,
	A10 = 9.9466e−012, A12 = 0.0000e+000, A14 = 0.0000e+000,
	A16 = 0.0000e+000, A18 = 0.0000e+000, A20 = 0.0000e+000
	9th surface
	K = 0.0000
	A4 = 3.1839e−005, A6 = −2.4455e−007, A8 = −2.1269e−010,
	A10 = 1.2027e−011, A12 = 0.0000e+000, A14 = 0.0000e+000,
	A16 = 0.0000e+000, A18 = 0.0000e+000, A20 = 0.0000e+000
	13th surface
	K = 0.0000
	A4 = −1.1110e−005, A6 = 1.5011e−007, A8 = 3.3020e−009,
	A10 = 1.2366e−010, A12 = −1.3832e−012, A14 = 0.0000e+000,
	A16 = 0.0000e+000, A18 = 0.0000e+000, A20 = 0.0000e+000
	14th surface
	K = 0.0000
	A4 = 3.1731e−005, A6 = 5.7923e−010, A8 = −3.8555e−009,
	A10 = 2.7644e−010, A12 = −3.1016e−012, A14 = 0.0000e+000,
	A16 = 0.0000e+000, A18 = 0.0000e+000, A20 = 0.0000e+000
	21th surface
	K = 0.0000
	A4 = −3.9750e−005, A6 = −2.2106e−006, A8 = 4.9317e−008,
	A10 = −6.7258e−010, A12 = 0.0000e+000, A14 = 0.0000e+000,
	A16 = 0.0000e+000, A18 = 0.0000e+000, A20 = 0.0000e+000
	22th surface
	K = 0.0000
	A4 = −6.6102e−005, A6 = −2.4040e−006, A8 = 4.7775e−009,
	A10 = −4.3615e−011, A12 = 0.0000e+000, A14 = 0.0000e+000,
	A16 = 0.0000e+000, A18 = 0.0000e+000, A20 = 0.0000e+000
	23th surface
	K = 0.0000
	A4 = −6.6622e−006, A6 = 5.3253e−008, A8 = −3.0833e−010,
	A10 = 5.9212e−013, A12 = 0.0000e+000, A14 = 0.0000e+000,
	A16 = 0.0000e+000, A18 = 0.0000e+000, A20 = 0.0000e+000
Zoom data
		WE	ST	TE
	Focal length	12.247	34.012	117.558
	Fno.	3.900	5.500	6.200
	Angle of field 2ω	85.3	35.3	10.6
	Image height	10.09	11.15	11.15
	FB	15.363	15.363	15.363
	Lens total length	96.572	112.222	131.573
	d5	0.800	17.145	41.211
	d11	23.989	11.463	1.000
	d12	5.681	2.500	1.300
	d20	1.805	4.571	7.524
	d22	3.635	15.881	19.876
Unit focal length
f1 = 78.1589	f2 = −12.6372	f3 = 15.9934	f4 = −17.3903
f5 = 37.4811
	RRO/RCI	−0.723
	ft/fw	9.599
	RCI	−27.8266
	RRO	20.131

EXAMPLE 6

Unit mm
Surface data
Surface no.	r	d	nd	νd
Object plane	∞	∞
1	53.869	1.400	2.00100	29.13
2	41.489	6.500	1.49700	81.61
3	385.670	0.100
4	55.990	3.651	1.49700	81.61
5	183.826	Variable
6	133.074	1.200	1.88300	40.76
7	13.000	6.752
8*	−22.448	1.100	1.72903	54.04
9*	78.775	0.300
10	50.097	2.524	1.94595	17.98
11	−118.907	Variable
12(stop)	∞	1.000
13*	10.006	3.182	1.49700	81.54
14*	50.035	3.296
15	21.000	5.711	1.65100	56.16
16	−8.556	0.800	1.88300	40.76
17	19.506	0.200
18*	10.218	2.800	1.58313	59.38
19*	−47.461	Variable
20	50.425	1.000	1.69680	55.53
21	10.296	2.136
22*	−43.475	1.200	1.53071	55.69
23*	−98.704	Variable
24*	−236.932	4.726	1.49710	81.56
25*	−18.026	14.729
Image plane	∞
(Light receiving surface)
stop surface	12
Aspherical surface data
	8th surface
	K = 0.0000
	A4 = −3.5858e−005, A6 = 2.4861e−007, A8 = 4.9400e−009,
	A10 = −3.3927e−011, A12 = 0.0000e+000, A14 = 0.0000e+000,
	A16 = 0.0000e+000, A18 = 0.0000e+000, A20 = 0.0000e+000
	9th surface
	K = 0.0000
	A4 = −4.1340e−005, A6 = 2.5590e−007, A8 = 4.4168e−009,
	A10 = −3.1422e−011, A12 = 0.0000e+000, A14 = 0.0000e+000,
	A16 = 0.0000e+000, A18 = 0.0000e+000, A20 = 0.0000e+000
	13th surface
	K = 0.0000
	A4 = −5.2983e−005, A6 = 2.0253e−007, A8 = −1.2792e−008,
	A10 = 2.8958e−010, A12 = −4.2500e−012, A14 = 0.0000e+000,
	A16 = 0.0000e+000, A18 = 0.0000e+000, A20 = 0.0000e+000
	14th surface
	K = 0.0000
	A4 = −6.2854e−005, A6 = 8.4558e−007, A8 = −1.8324e−008,
	A10 = 2.5748e−010, A12 = −3.5919e−012, A14 = 0.0000e+000,
	A16 = 0.0000e+000, A18 = 0.0000e+000, A20 = 0.0000e+000
	18th surface
	K = 0.0000
	A4 = −2.1016e−004, A6 = 2.4063e−006, A8 = −4.7736e−008,
	A10 = 2.1412e−010, A12 = 0.0000e+000, A14 = 0.0000e+000,
	A16 = 0.0000e+000, A18 = 0.0000e+000, A20 = 0.0000e+000
	19th surface
	K = 0.0000
	A4 = 1.3521e−004, A6 = 2.7443e−006, A8 = −4.1225e−008,
	A10 = 4.3064e−010, A12 = 0.0000e+000, A14 = 0.0000e+000,
	A16 = 0.0000e+000, A18 = 0.0000e+000, A20 = 0.0000e+000
	22th surface
	K = 0.0000
	A4 = −9.6701e−005, A6 = −6.1207e−006, A8 = −1.9986e−008,
	A10 = −8.1834e−010, A12 = 0.0000e+000, A14 = 0.0000e+000,
	A16 = 0.0000e+000, A18 = 0.0000e+000, A20 = 0.0000e+000
	23th surface
	K = 0.0000
	A4 = −9.4077e−005, A6 = −5.7209e−006, A8 = 2.0088e−008,
	A10 = −6.4909e−010, A12 = 0.0000e+000, A14 = 0.0000e+000,
	A16 = 0.0000e+000, A18 = 0.0000e+000, A20 = 0.0000e+000
	24th surface
	K = 0.0000
	A4 = −8.6723e−005, A6 = 3.9573e−007, A8 = 1.7241e−010,
	A10 = −4.8654e−012, A12 = 0.0000e+000, A14 = 0.0000e+000,
	A16 = 0.0000e+000, A18 = 0.0000e+000, A20 = 0.0000e+000
	25th surface
	K = 0.0000
	A4 = −6.4671e−005, A6 = 2.1758e−007, A8 = 1.5033e−009,
	A10 = −7.8307e−012, A12 = 0.0000e+000, A14 = 0.0000e+000,
	A16 = 0.0000e+000, A18 = 0.0000e+000, A20 = 0.0000e+000
Zoom data
		WE	ST	TE
	Focal length	12.253	34.010	146.736
	Fno.	3.900	5.500	6.200
	Angle of field 2ω	84.5	35.3	8.4
	Image height	10.04	11.15	11.15
	FB	14.729	14.729	14.729
	Lens total length	98.582	119.487	144.808
	d5	0.500	18.216	50.139
	d11	30.131	15.295	1.200
	d19	1.852	3.902	7.988
	d23	1.792	17.765	21.173
Unit focal length
f1 = 88.0183	f2 = −12.6816	f3 = 16.493	f4 = −16.5079
f5 = 38.9681
	RRO/RCI	0.524
	ft/fw	11.976
	RCI	19.5062
	RRO	10.2181

Example 7

Unit mm
Surface data
Surface no.	r	d	nd	νd
Object plane	∞	∞
1	55.721	1.400	1.84666	23.78
2	39.622	4.900	1.60300	65.44
3	193.303	0.100
4	43.537	3.200	1.59282	68.63
5	104.731	Variable
6	44.895	1.200	1.88300	40.76
7	9.906	4.677
8*	−18.462	1.100	1.72903	54.04
9*	35.951	0.100
10	28.542	1.800	1.94595	17.98
11	−346.262	Variable
12(stop)	∞	Variable
13*	9.112	4.696	1.58313	59.38
14*	−23.980	0.100
15	48.514	2.926	1.49700	81.61
16	−11.614	0.700	1.90366	31.32
17	13.996	2.000	1.81474	37.03
18*	−34.396	Variable
19*	−72.173	0.800	1.53071	55.69
20*	13.592	Variable
21*	−94.682	4.800	1.53071	55.69
22*	−19.005	16.911
Image plane	∞
(Light receiving surface)
stop surface	12
Aspherical surface data
	8th surface
	K = 0.0000
	A4 = −3.4799e−004, A6 = 8.8145e−006, A8 = −1.3878e−007,
	A10 = 1.2747e−009, A12 = 0.0000e+000, A14 = 0.0000e+000,
	A16 = 0.0000e+000, A18 = 0.0000e+000, A20 = 0.0000e+000
	9th surface
	K = 0.0000
	A4 = −3.3105e−004, A6 = 9.8427e−006, A8 = −1.6282e−007,
	A10 = 1.5910e−009, A12 = 0.0000e+000, A14 = 0.0000e+000,
	A16 = 0.0000e+000, A18 = 0.0000e+000, A20 = 0.0000e+000
	13th surface
	K = 0.0000
	A4 = −4.5382e−005, A6 = −8.8847e−007, A8 = 6.3227e−009,
	A10 = 1.7632e−010, A12 = −1.3110e−011, A14 = 0.0000e+000,
	A16 = 0.0000e+000, A18 = 0.0000e+000, A20 = 0.0000e+000
	14th surface
	K = 0.0000
	A4 = 1.1624e−004, A6 = −2.6691e−006, A8 = 7.0485e−009,
	A10 = 4.7389e−010, A12 = −1.2123e−011, A14 = 0.0000e+000,
	A16 = 0.0000e+000, A18 = 0.0000e+000, A20 = 0.0000e+000
	18th surface
	K = 0.0000
	A4 = 1.7182e−004, A6 = 6.4707e−006, A8 = −7.0200e−008,
	A10 = 4.1778e−009, A12 = 0.0000e+000, A14 = 0.0000e+000,
	A16 = 0.0000e+000, A18 = 0.0000e+000, A20 = 0.0000e+000
	19th surface
	K = 0.0000
	A4 = 2.5249e−004, A6 = −8.8999e−006, A8 = −1.6699e−007,
	A10 = 8.0079e−009, A12 = 0.0000e+000, A14 = 0.0000e+000,
	A16 = 0.0000e+000, A18 = 0.0000e+000, A20 = 0.0000e+000
	20th surface
	K = 0.0000
	A4 = 3.0911e−004, A6 = −1.2276e−005, A8 = −1.9881e−008,
	A10 = 4.6193e−009, A12 = 0.0000e+000, A14 = 0.0000e+000,
	A16 = 0.0000e+000, A18 = 0.0000e+000, A20 = 0.0000e+000
	21th surface
	K = 0.0000
	A4 = 3.0206e−005, A6 = 9.8351e−008, A8 = 2.0669e−009,
	A10 = −2.6629e−011, A12 = 0.0000e+000, A14 = 0.0000e+000,
	A16 = 0.0000e+000, A18 = 0.0000e+000, A20 = 0.0000e+000
	22th surface
	K = 0.0000
	A4 = 3.0043e−005, A6 = −1.5829e−007, A8 = 5.3849e−009,
	A10 = −3.4200e−011, A12 = 0.0000e+000, A14 = 0.0000e+000,
	A16 = 0.0000e+000, A18 = 0.0000e+000, A20 = 0.0000e+000
Zoom data
		WE	ST	TE
	Focal length	14.294	35.011	97.915
	Fno.	3.900	5.500	6.000
	Angle of field 2ω	76.0	34.3	12.9
	Image height	10.19	11.15	11.15
	FB	16.911	16.911	16.911
	Lens total length	72.182	92.457	114.572
	d5	0.679	16.881	36.839
	d11	11.074	6.361	1.000
	d12	3.543	1.000	1.000
	d18	1.205	3.937	5.481
	d20	4.273	12.870	18.844
Unit focal length
f1 = 71.5553	f2 = −10.2455	f3 = 12.7009	f4 = −21.4827
f5 = 43.8409
	RRO/RCI	1.000
	ft/fw	6.850
	RCI	13.9957
	RRO	13.9957

FIGS. 8A to 8L are aberration diagrams of the zoom lens according to the first embodiment in the state in which the zoom lens is focused on an object point at infinity. FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C, and 8D respectively show spherical aberration (SA), astigmatism (AS), distortion (DT), and chromatic aberration of magnification (CC) of the zoom lens at the wide angle end. FIGS. 8E, 8F, 8G, and 8H respectively show spherical aberration, astigmatism, distortion, and chromatic aberration of magnification of the zoom lens in the intermediate focal length state. FIGS. 8I, 8J, 8K, and 8L respectively show spherical aberration, astigmatism, distortion, and chromatic aberration of magnification of the zoom lens at the telephoto end.

FIGS. 9A to 9L are aberration diagrams of the zoom lens according to the second embodiment in the state in which the zoom lens is focused on an object point at infinity. FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C, and 9D respectively show spherical aberration, astigmatism, distortion, and chromatic aberration of magnification of the zoom lens at the wide angle end. FIGS. 9E, 9F, 9G, and 9H respectively show spherical aberration, astigmatism, distortion, and chromatic aberration of magnification of the zoom lens in the intermediate focal length state. FIGS. 9I, 9J, 9K, and 9L respectively show spherical aberration, astigmatism, distortion, and chromatic aberration of magnification of the zoom lens at the telephoto end.

FIGS. 10A to 10L are aberration diagrams of the zoom lens according to the third embodiment in the state in which the zoom lens is focused on an object point at infinity. FIGS. 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D respectively show spherical aberration, astigmatism, distortion, and chromatic aberration of magnification of the zoom lens at the wide angle end. FIGS. 10E, 10F, 10G, and 10H respectively show spherical aberration, astigmatism, distortion, and chromatic aberration of magnification of the zoom lens in the intermediate focal length state. FIGS. 10I, 10J, 10K, and 10L respectively show spherical aberration, astigmatism, distortion, and chromatic aberration of magnification of the zoom lens at the telephoto end.

FIGS. 11A to 11L are aberration diagrams of the zoom lens according to the fourth embodiment in the state in which the zoom lens is focused on an object point at infinity. FIGS. 11A, 11B, 11C, and 11D respectively show spherical aberration, astigmatism, distortion, and chromatic aberration of magnification of the zoom lens at the wide angle end. FIGS. 11E, 11F, 11G, and 11H respectively show spherical aberration, astigmatism, distortion, and chromatic aberration of magnification of the zoom lens in the intermediate focal length state. FIGS. 11I, 11J, 11K, and 11L respectively show spherical aberration, astigmatism, distortion, and chromatic aberration of magnification of the zoom lens at the telephoto end.

FIGS. 12A to 12L are aberration diagrams of the zoom lens according to the fifth embodiment in the state in which the zoom lens is focused on an object point at infinity. FIGS. 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D respectively show spherical aberration, astigmatism, distortion, and chromatic aberration of magnification of the zoom lens at the wide angle end. FIGS. 12E, 12F, 12G, and 12H respectively show spherical aberration, astigmatism, distortion, and chromatic aberration of magnification of the zoom lens in the intermediate focal length state. FIGS. 12I, 12J, 12K, and 12L respectively show spherical aberration, astigmatism, distortion, and chromatic aberration of magnification of the zoom lens at the telephoto end.

FIGS. 13A to 13L are aberration diagrams of the zoom lens according to the sixth embodiment in the state in which the zoom lens is focused on an object point at infinity. FIGS. 13A, 13B, 13C, and 13D respectively show spherical aberration, astigmatism, distortion, and chromatic aberration of magnification of the zoom lens at the wide angle end. FIGS. 13E, 13F, 13G, and 13H respectively show spherical aberration, astigmatism, distortion, and chromatic aberration of magnification of the zoom lens in the intermediate focal length state. FIGS. 13I, 13J, 13K, and 13L respectively show spherical aberration, astigmatism, distortion, and chromatic aberration of magnification of the zoom lens at the telephoto end.

FIGS. 14A to 14L are aberration diagrams of the zoom lens according to the seventh embodiment in the state in which the zoom lens is focused on an object point at infinity. FIGS. 14A, 14B, 14C, and 14D respectively show spherical aberration, astigmatism, distortion, and chromatic aberration of magnification of the zoom lens at the wide angle end. FIGS. 14E, 14F, 14G, and 14H respectively show spherical aberration, astigmatism, distortion, and chromatic aberration of magnification of the zoom lens in the intermediate focal length state. FIGS. 14I, 14J, 14K, and 14L respectively show spherical aberration, astigmatism, distortion, and chromatic aberration of magnification of the zoom lens at the telephoto end.

In these diagrams, “FIY” represents the largest image height. In the second to seventh embodiments, off-axis aberrations are shown up to an image height 0.3 mm larger than the effective image pickup area.

Next, parameter and values of conditional expressions in each embodiments are described.

		“lower limit” through “upper limit”
	LTLw/IHt	3.5 through 8.9 (or 10)
	|f2/IHt|	0.5 through 1.3
	f3/IHt	0.7 through 2.0
	f3/fw	0.6 through 1.6
	f1/fw	4.0 through 8.5
	νd2p	13 through 23
	DTw	−18 through −6.0
	νd1p	62 (or 65) and above
	θgF2p	0.62 through 0.69
	ωw	40 through 50
		Example 1	Example 2	Example 3	Example 4
	LTLw/IHt	5.568	5.747	6.284	8.571
	|f2/IHt|	0.674	0.696	0.783	1.045
	f3/IHt	1.015	1.033	1.113	1.405
	f3/fw	0.924	0.941	1.013	1.279
	f1/fw	5.0454	5.18592	5.56553	6.28613
	νd2p	17.98	17.98	17.98	17.98
	(material)	FDS18	FDS18	FDS18	FDS18
	DTw	−10.717	−10.992	−9.826	−9.33
	νd1p	63.33	63.33	81.61	81.61
		65.44	63.33	81.61	65.44
	(material)	S-PHM52	S-PHM52	FCD1	FCD1
	(material)	S-PHM53	S-PHM52	FCD1	S-PHM53
	θgF2p	0.6544	0.6544	0.6544	0.6544
	(material)	FDS18	FDS18	FDS18	FDS18
	ωw	42.515	42.596	42.305	42.278
		Example 5	Example 6	Example 7
	LTLw/IHt	8.661	8.841	6.474
	|f2/IHt|	1.133	1.137	0.919
	f3/IHt	1.434	1.479	1.139
	f3/fw	1.306	1.346	0.889
	f1/fw	6.3817	7.18349	5.00601
	νd2p	18.9	17.98	17.98
	(material)	S-NPH2	FDS18	FDS18
	DTw	−11.109	−9.718	−10.177
	νd1p	81.61	81.61	65.44
		68.63	81.61	68.63
	(material)	FCD1	FCD1	S-PHM53
	(material)	FCD505	FCD1	FCD505
	θgF2p	0.6495	0.6544	0.6544
	(material)	S-NPH2	FDS18	FDS18
	ωw	42.629	42.269	38.012

(Digital Camera)

FIG. 15 is a cross sectional view of a single lens mirror-less camera as an electronic image pickup apparatus. In FIG. 15, a taking lens system 2 is provided in the lens barrel of the single lens mirror-less camera 1. The single lens mirror-less camera 1 has a mount portion 3 with which the taking lens system 2 can be detachably mounted on the body of the single lens mirror-less camera 1. The mount portion 3 may be a screw mount, a bayonet mount or the like. In this illustrative case, a bayonet mount is used. The body of the single lens mirror-less camera 1 is provided with a surface 4 of an image pickup element and a rear monitor 5. The image pickup element may be a small-size CCD or CMOS sensor.

As the taking lens system 2 of the single lens mirror-less camera 1, an internal focusing lens system according to the present invention, for example, a lens system according to one of the first to seventh embodiments is used.

FIGS. 16 and 17 schematically show the construction of an image pickup apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 16 is a front perspective view showing the outer appearance of a digital camera 40 as the image pickup apparatus. FIG. 17 is a rear perspective view of the digital camera 40. In this digital camera 40, an internal focusing lens system according to the present invention is used as the taking optical system 41.

The digital camera 40 according to this embodiment has the taking optical system 41 arranged in the taking optical path 42, a shutter release button 45, and a liquid crystal display monitor 47. In response to depression of the shutter release button 45 provided on the top of the digital camera 40, shooting through the taking optical system 41, e.g. the internal focusing lens system according to the first embodiment, is effected. Specifically, an image of an object is formed by the taking optical system 41 on the image pickup element (photoelectric conversion surface) provided in the vicinity of the image plane. The image of the object picked up by the image pickup element is processed by a processing unit and displayed as an electronic image on the liquid crystal display monitor 47 provided on the back of the camera. The picked-up electronic image can be stored in a storage unit.

(Internal Circuit Configuration)

FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing the relevant internal circuit of the digital camera 40. In the case described hereinafter, the processing unit mentioned above includes, for instance, a CDS/ADC section 24, a temporary storage memory 17, and an image processing section 18, and the storage unit includes a storage medium 19 for example.

As shown in FIG. 18, the digital camera 40 has an operating section 12 and a control section 13 connected to the operating section 12. The digital camera 40 also has an image pickup drive circuit 16, the temporary storage memory 17, the image processing section 18, the storage medium 19, a display section 20, and a set-information storage memory section 21, which are connected to control signal output ports of the control section 13 via buses 14 and 15.

The temporary storage memory 17, the image processing section 18, the storage medium section 19, the display section 20, and the set-information storage memory section 21 are configured to be capable of mutually inputting and outputting data via a bus 22. Moreover, a CCD 49 and the CDS/ADC section 24 are connected to the image pickup drive circuit 16.

The operating section 12 is equipped with various entry buttons and switches and notifies the control section 13 of event information entered from outside (by a user of the camera) through the entry buttons and switches. The control section 13 is a central processing device such as a CPU and has a built-in program memory, which is not shown in the drawings. The control section 13 performs overall control of the digital camera 40 according to a program stored in the program memory.

The CCD 49 is an image pickup element that is driven and controlled by the image pickup drive circuit 16 to convert the quantity of light of the object image formed through the taking optical system 41 into an electrical signal on a pixel-by-pixel basis and to output it to the CDS/ADC section 24.

The CDS/ADC section 24 is a circuit that amplifies the electrical signals input from the CCD 49, performs analog-to-digital conversion, and outputs to the temporary storage memory 17 raw image data (or Bayer data, which will be hereinafter referred to as “RAW data”) that has undergone only amplification and digital conversion.

The temporary storage memory 17 may include, for example, an SDRAM, which serves as a buffer. The temporary storage memory 17 is a memory device that temporarily stores the RAW data output from the CDS/ADC section 24. The image processing section 18 is a circuit that retrieves RAW data stored in the temporary storage memory 17 or RAW data stored in the storage medium section 19 and performs various electrical image processing including distortion correction based on image quality parameters specified by the control section 13.

The storage medium section 19 allows a detachable mounting of a recording medium such as, for example, a card-type or stick-type flash memory. The storage medium section 19 records or writes RAW data transferred from the temporary storage memory 17 and image data having been processed in the image processing section 18 in the flash memory to have the data stored in it.

The display section 20 includes the liquid-crystal display monitor 47 and displays images based on picked-up RAW data, image data, and operation menu etc. The set-information storage memory section 21 includes a ROM section in which various image quality parameters are stored in advance and a RAM section for storing image quality parameters read out from the ROM section in response to an entry(ies) made through the operating section 12.

The digital camera 40 having the above-described construction uses as the taking optical system 41 an internal focusing lens system according to the present invention. Thus, the digital camera 40 can be an image pickup apparatus that is advantageous in producing high resolution images without deterioration in image quality, while having a wide angle of view and being small in size.

Angle ωw (the largest half angle of view of a zoom lens at the wide angle end in the state in which the zoom lens is focused on an object at infinity) will be described with reference to FIG. 19. FIG. 19 shows a zoom lens, an aperture stop, and an image pickup surface arranged on an optical axis.

In FIG. 19, ray L (solid line) passes the center of the aperture stop and reaches point X on the effective image pickup area. This point X is a point farthest from the optical axis in the effective image pickup area. Here, the effective image pickup area is an area in which an image of an object is formed, and point X is at a position of the largest image height. Namely, the ray L passes the center of the aperture stop and is incident on the effective image pickup area at a position of the largest image height. Angle ωw is the half angle of view with the ray L relative to the optical axis at the wide angle end of the focal length range.

As will be understood from the foregoing description, the zoom lens according to the present invention is useful in achieving size reduction while attaining a wide angle of view and a high zoom ratio.

The present invention can provide a zoom lens which can be made small in size and have a wide angle of view and a sufficiently high zoom ratio, and an image pickup apparatus equipped with such a zoom lens.

Claims

1. A zoom lens comprising, in order from the object side to the image side:

a first lens unit having a positive refractive power;

a second lens unit having a negative refractive power;

a third lens unit having a positive refractive power;

a fourth lens unit having a negative refractive power; and

a fifth lens unit having a positive refractive power,

wherein the zoom lens has an aperture stop arranged between the second lens unit and the fourth lens unit,

during zooming from the wide angle end to the telephoto end, the distances between the lens units vary in such a way that the distance between the first lens unit and the second lens unit is larger at the telephoto end than at the wide angle end, the distance between the second lens unit and the third lens unit is smaller at the telephoto end than at the wide angle end, and the distance between the fourth lens unit and the fifth lens unit is larger at the telephoto end than at the wide angle end, and

the zoom lens satisfies the following conditional expression (1):

3.5≦LTL_w/IH_t≦8.9  (1),

2. A zoom lens comprising, in order from the object side to the image side:

a first lens unit having a positive refractive power;

a second lens unit having a negative refractive power;

a third lens unit having a positive refractive power;

a fourth lens unit having a negative refractive power; and

a fifth lens unit having a positive refractive power,

wherein the zoom lens has an aperture stop arranged between the second lens unit and the fourth lens unit,

during zooming from the wide angle end to the telephoto end, the distances between the lens units vary in such a way that the distance between the first lens unit and the second lens unit is larger at the telephoto end than at the wide angle end, the distance between the second lens unit and the third lens unit is smaller at the telephoto end than at the wide angle end, and the distance between the fourth lens unit and the fifth lens unit is larger at the telephoto end than at the wide angle end,

the third lens unit includes a negative lens and a plurality of positive lenses, and

the zoom lens satisfies the following conditional expression (2):

3.5≦LTL_w/IH_t≦10.0  (2),

3. A zoom lens comprising, in order from the object side to the image side:

a first lens unit having a positive refractive power;

a second lens unit having a negative refractive power;

a third lens unit having a positive refractive power;

a fourth lens unit having a negative refractive power; and

a fifth lens unit having a positive refractive power,

wherein the zoom lens has an aperture stop arranged between the second lens unit and the fourth lens unit,

during zooming from the wide angle end to the telephoto end, the distances between the lens units vary in such a way that the distance between the first lens unit and the second lens unit is larger at the telephoto end than at the wide angle end, the distance between the second lens unit and the third lens unit is smaller at the telephoto end than at the wide angle end, and the distance between the fourth lens unit and the fifth lens unit is larger at the telephoto end than at the wide angle end,

the third lens unit includes two lenses cemented together with a cemented surface having a negative refractive power, an object side positive lens located closer to the object side than the two lenses, and an image side lens located closer to the image side than the two lenses,

the composite refractive power of a portion from the object side surface of the third lens unit to the image side surface of a lens located immediately on the object side of the two lenses is positive,

the image side lens has a lens surface having a positive refractive power, and

the zoom lens satisfies the following conditional expression (3):

0.5≦|f₂/IH_t|≦1.3  (3),

4. A zoom lens comprising, in order from the object side to the image side:

a first lens unit having a positive refractive power;

a second lens unit having a negative refractive power;

a third lens unit having a positive refractive power;

a fourth lens unit having a negative refractive power; and

a fifth lens unit having a positive refractive power,

wherein the zoom lens has an aperture stop arranged between the second lens unit and the fourth lens unit,

during zooming from the wide angle end to the telephoto end, the distances between the lens units vary in such a way that the distance between the first lens unit and the second lens unit is larger at the telephoto end than at the wide angle end, the distance between the second lens unit and the third lens unit is smaller at the telephoto end than at the wide angle end, and the distance between the fourth lens unit and the fifth lens unit is larger at the telephoto end than at the wide angle end,

the third lens unit includes two lenses cemented together with a cemented surface having a negative refractive power, an object side positive lens located closer to the object side than the two lenses, and an image side lens located closer to the image side than the two lenses,

the composite refractive power of a portion from the object side surface of the third lens unit to the image side surface of a lens located immediately on the object side of the two lenses is positive,

the image side lens has a lens surface having a positive refractive power, and

the zoom lens satisfies the following conditional expression (4):

0.7≦f₃/IH_t≦2.0  (4),

5. A zoom lens comprising, in order from the object side to the image side:

a first lens unit having a positive refractive power;

a second lens unit having a negative refractive power;

a third lens unit having a positive refractive power;

a fourth lens unit having a negative refractive power; and

a fifth lens unit having a positive refractive power,

wherein the zoom lens has an aperture stop arranged between the second lens unit and the fourth lens unit,

during zooming from the wide angle end to the telephoto end, the distances between the lens units vary in such a way that the distance between the first lens unit and the second lens unit is larger at the telephoto end than at the wide angle end, the distance between the second lens unit and the third lens unit is smaller at the telephoto end than at the wide angle end, and the distance between the fourth lens unit and the fifth lens unit is larger at the telephoto end than at the wide angle end,

the third lens unit includes two lenses cemented together with a cemented surface having a negative refractive power, an object side positive lens located closer to the object side than the two lenses, and an image side lens located closer to the image side than the two lenses,

the composite refractive power of a portion from the object side surface of the third lens unit to the image side surface of a lens located immediately on the object side of the two lenses is positive,

the image side lens has a lens surface having a positive refractive power, and

the zoom lens satisfies the following conditional expression (5):

0.6≦f₃/f_w≦1.6  (5),

6. The zoom lens according to claim 1, wherein the zoom lens satisfies the following conditional expression (6):

4.0≦f₁/f_w≦8.5  (6),

7. The zoom lens according to claim 1,

wherein the second lens unit includes a positive lens that satisfies the following conditional expression (7):

13≦ν_d2p≦23  (7),

8. The zoom lens according to claim 1, wherein the zoom lens satisfies the following conditional expression (8):

−18.0%≦DT_w≦−6.0%  (8),

9. The zoom lens according to claim 1, wherein the second lens unit comprises, in order from the object side, a first negative lens component having a negative refractive power, a second negative lens component having a negative refractive power, and a positive lens component having a positive refractive power, and the total number of the lens components included in the second lens unit is three, where the term “lens component” refers to a lens block whose refractive surfaces that are in contact with air on the optical axis include only two surfaces or an object side surface and an image side surface.

10. The zoom lens according to claim 9, wherein the first negative lens component, the second negative lens component, and the positive lens component in the second lens unit are single lenses.

11. The zoom lens according to claim 3, wherein the third lens unit comprises four lenses, which are, in order from the object side to the image side, the object side positive lens, the two lenses, and the image side lens, the image side lens is a positive lens, and the total number of the lenses included in the third lens unit is four.

12. The zoom lens according to claim 11, wherein the two lenses and the image side lens constitute a cemented triplet lens.

13. The zoom lens according to claim 1, wherein the first lens unit comprises, in order from the object side to the image side, a negative lens, a first positive lens, and a second positive lens, and the total number of the lenses included in the first lens unit is three.

14. The zoom lens according to claim 13, wherein the negative lens and the first positive lens in the first lens unit are cemented together.

15. The zoom lens according to claim 1, wherein the first lens unit includes a positive lens, and all the positive lenses in the first lens unit satisfy the following conditional expression (9):

ν_dlp>62  (9),

16. The zoom lens according to claim 1, wherein any one of the positive lenses in the first lens unit satisfies the following conditional expression (10):

ν_dlp>65  (10),

17. The zoom lens according to claim 1, wherein the second lens unit includes a positive lens that satisfies the following conditional expression (11):

0.620≦θ_gF2p≦0.690  (11),

18. The zoom lens according to claim 3, wherein a lens located immediately on the image side of the two lenses in the third lens unit has an object side surface convex toward the object side and satisfies the following conditional expression (12):

R_R0/R_CI≦1  (12),

19. The zoom lens according to claim 1, wherein the zoom lens satisfies the following conditional expression (13):

37°≦ω_w≦50°  (13),

20. The zoom lens according to claim 19, wherein the zoom lens satisfies the following conditional expression (14):

4.5≦f_t/f_w  (14),

21. The zoom lens according to claim 1, wherein the following conditional expression (2) is satisfied:

3.5≦LTL_w/IH_t≦10.0  (2),

22. The zoom lens according to claim 1, wherein the third lens unit includes a negative lens and a plurality of positive lenses.

23. The zoom lens according to claim 1, wherein the third lens unit includes two lenses cemented together with a cemented surface having a negative refractive power, an object side positive lens located closer to the object side than the two lenses, and an image side lens located closer to the image side than the two lenses, the composite refractive power of the portion from the object side surface of the third lens unit to the image side surface of a lens located immediately on the object side of the two lenses is positive, and the image side lens has a lens surface having a positive refractive power.

24. The zoom lens according to claim 1, wherein the zoom lens satisfies the following conditional expression (3):

0.5≦|f₂/IH_t|≦1.3  (3),

25. The zoom lens according to claim 1, wherein the zoom lens satisfies the following conditional expression (4):

0.7≦f₃/IH_t≦2.0  (4),

26. The zoom lens according to claim 1, wherein the zoom lens satisfies the following conditional expression (5):

0.6≦f₃/f_w≦1.6  (5),

27. The zoom lens according to claim 1, wherein the fifth lens unit is kept stationary during zooming from the wide angle end to the telephoto end, and the fourth lens unit moves toward the image side for focusing from infinity to an object at a close distance.

28. An image pickup apparatus comprising:

a zoom lens according to claim 1; and

an image pickup element arranged on the image side of the zoom lens to convert an image formed by the zoom lens into an electric signal.

29. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 28, wherein

the zoom lens is a zoom lens according to claim 3,

a lens located immediately on the image side of the two lenses in the third lens unit has an object side surface convex toward the object side,

a lens in the third lens unit located closer to the image side than the two lenses is shifted eccentrically relative to the two lenses in order to prevent image blur, and

the zoom lens satisfies the following conditional expression (15):

R_R0/R_CI≦1  (15),

30. The zoom lens according to claim 3, wherein the image side lens is a positive lens, and the composite refractive power of a portion from the object side surface of the lens located immediately on the image side of the two lenses to the image side surface of the third lens unit is positive.

31. The zoom lens according to claim 3, wherein the composite refractive power of a portion from the object side surface of the lens located immediately on the image side of the two lenses to the image side surface of the third lens unit is negative.